The question comes up at least once a day – which is the better plan? You are going to have to make a decision on which Medicare option is best for your needs, so you need to first understand the basics of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and the Medicare Advantage plans. These are very different insurance plans with distinct benefits. The answer to the question “Is one better than the other?” depends on your circumstances and needs.
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, is an insurance policy designed to pay for out-of-pocket costs and health-care expenses not covered by Original Medicare Part A and Part B. In Tennessee, there are ten standardized Medicare Supplement plans (Plans A through N), because these plans are sold by private insurance companies, pricing can vary by provider. The ten plans have different combinations of benefits and deductibles that can be reviewed on our Medicare page.
While Medigap plans always have more benefits than Medicare Part A and Part B, they do not offer prescription drug coverage. Prescription drug coverage can be added through a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan.
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are health plans offered by private insurance companies. They provide the standard hospitalization and medical coverage of Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, with the exception of hospice care (you still have this coverage through your Part A insurance). Medicare Advantage plans may include additional benefits that are not part of Original Medicare, such as vision, dental, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.
There are many different types of Medicare Advantage plans, although not every plan type may be available in your area. A health maintenance organization (HMO) is a network of health-care providers and facilities where you choose a primary care physician to coordinate your care. A preferred provider organization (PPO) is also a network of health-care providers and facilities but typically you do not need to select a primary care physician, and you have more flexible options regarding out-of-network care. A private fee-for-service (PFFS) plan is a mode of benefit delivery where you are not limited to a network, but there are no guarantees that your doctor or hospital will accept the plan. If you choose to receive your Medicare health coverage through a private Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue paying your Part B premium regardless, because you remain enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), even after joining a Part C plan.
Comparing Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement plans
In short, Medicare Supplement Insurance is a policy that’s added to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, to provide additional coverage. Medicare Advantage is a private plan option that effectively replaces your Original Medicare coverage. The two don’t work together, and it is prohibited for anyone to sell you a Medigap policy when you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, unless you going to switch back to Original Medicare.
A given plan type (e.g., Plan F) has the same benefits regardless of the insurance company that provides the policy, or the state in which you reside. This is not true of Medicare Advantage plans, however, because coverage details may vary by plan.
Excluding prescription drug coverage, any standard Medigap plan with Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, will have more benefits than a standard Medicare Advantage plan since a Medicare Advantage plan is only required to duplicate Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. However, as mentioned above, some Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits beyond those found in Part A and Part B.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription drug coverage (often for an additional monthly cost). With a Medigap plan, in contrast, you would need to enroll in a separate prescription drug plan. However, remember that the total cost of drug coverage, as well as coverage for the specific drugs you are taking, is of utmost importance when comparing your options. In some cases, you may find that Medigap with a stand-alone prescription drug plan has lower total costs than a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage. In other cases, the reverse might be true.
Comparison is key
When choosing between a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan, take the time to do your research. Read the benefit descriptions of every Medigap and Medicare Advantage plan you are considering. Be certain to look at:
- Monthly premium
- Deductibles
- Doctor and healthcare facility restrictions
- Benefits
- Anticipated plan costs given your typical use of health-care and hospitalization services
- Prescription drug coverage cost sharing as it relates to your medication usage
In the end, your decision is going to be the one that you feel the most comfortable with, but the challenge is often wading through all the material to get to the bottom line. Want to make that a little easier? Give us a call at (615) 541-4257 or simply visit our site – HealthTN.com for answers in plain English!
HealthTN
At HealthTN.com we have been serving families in Middle, East and West Tennessee for the last 5 years as an extension of Continentalha.com. Our agents are from every corner of the state ready to serve all areas in East, Middle and West Tennessee. Our home office is currently located in Nashville, TN.
