MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN & MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN EXPLAINED
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What is a Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage Plan
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans and Medicare Advantage plans are both types of private health insurance plans designed to work alongside Original Medicare, which includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Here's a breakdown of each:
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans:
Medigap plans are offered by private insurance companies and are designed to fill in the "gaps" in coverage left by Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
These plans do not provide stand-alone coverage; rather, they work alongside Original Medicare.
There are different standardized Medigap plans labeled by letters (e.g., Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc.), each offering a different set of benefits.
Generally, you must have both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medigap plan.
Medigap plans typically do not cover services like vision, dental, or prescription drugs.
Medicare Advantage Plans:
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are all-in-one alternatives to Original Medicare offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
These plans bundle coverage for hospital (Part A), medical (Part B), and often prescription drugs (Part D), as well as additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.
Medicare Advantage plans may also offer benefits not included in Original Medicare, such as gym memberships or telehealth services.
Instead of paying for services directly through Medicare, with a Medicare Advantage plan, you pay the private insurance company a monthly premium and are subject to any plan-specific copayments or coinsurance.
To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must have both Medicare Part A and Part B, and you must live in the plan's service area.
In summary, while both Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans provide additional coverage beyond Original Medicare, they differ in how they deliver that coverage and the types of benefits they offer. Medigap plans focus on supplementing Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans replace it with a private insurance plan that often includes additional benefits.