Do most people have Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
Asked by: Dr. Ottis Balistreri | Last update: October 22, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (64 votes)
Which is more popular, Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans have been growing in popularity in recent years and have been outpacing Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans. In 2022, there were more than 30 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans and roughly 14 million enrolled in Medicare Supplement plans.
Why are people dropping Medicare Advantage plans?
Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. In 2023, Becker's began reporting on hospitals and health systems nationwide that dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.
Do most people get Medigap?
In 2022, 12.5 million traditional Medicare beneficiaries (42%) had Medigap policies, which help limit financial exposure to catastrophic costs. Beneficiaries with Medigap report fewer cost-related issues compared to those without supplemental coverage or those in Medicare Advantage plans.
What percentage of people are on Medicare Advantage?
More than half (54%) of eligible Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2024. The share of Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans varies across states, ranging from 2% to 63%.
Former SSA Insider Medicare Recommendations
Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?
Across the country, provider grumbling about claim denials and onerous preapproval requirements by Advantage plans is crescendoing. Some hospitals and physician practices are so fed up they're refusing to accept the plans — even big ones like those offered by UnitedHealthcare and Humana.
What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans?
💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
What is the downside to Medigap?
What are the disadvantages of a Medigap plan? There are a couple of cons to consider before choosing a Medigap plan: Premiums: Medigap premiums can be pricey. Coverage: Medicare Supplement plans don't cover everything, so you'd still have to pay out of pocket for things like dental care, vision care and long-term care.
What percentage of retirees have Medigap?
This is one reason why a much smaller share of traditional Medicare beneficiaries under age 65 and older have a Medigap policy compared with people age 65 and older (7% versus 46%). In addition, people under age 65 are more likely to have no supplemental coverage compared to people 65 and older (17% vs.
Are Medigap policies being phased out?
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) made some additional changes to the Medigap market, prohibiting insurers from issuing new policies that cover the full Part B deductible, making Plans C and F no longer available to beneficiaries who turned age 65 on or after January 1, 2020.
Why are seniors leaving Advantage plans?
Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.
Why are hospitals not taking Medicare Advantage plans?
Health systems have cited delayed reimbursements, cumbersome prior authorization requirements and high rates of patient claim denials for their decisions to drop Medicare Advantage plans.
Can I drop my Medicare Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare?
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: Between January 1 and March 31 of each year, if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) you can: Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage). Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.
What is the biggest disadvantage of the Medicare Advantage Plan?
Medicare Advantage Plan Pros And Cons
One disadvantage is that some Medicare Advantage plans may offer fewer options when it comes to doctors and hospitals, as they may have smaller plan networks than Original Medicare.
Why is a plan G better than an advantage plan?
Medigap Plan G offers more comprehensive benefits than the Medicare Advantage plan and is more widely available. It also provides more freedom for enrollees. For example, a Medigap Plan G enrollee can visit a specialist without a referral.
What is the best Medicare plan that covers everything for seniors?
Original Medicare with Medigap likely offers the most comprehensive coverage, but it may also be the most costly. A person can consider their income and how much they are able to spend before choosing a Medicare plan. Original Medicare with Medigap also offers a lot of flexibility when choosing a doctor or specialist.
Why do people choose Medigap over Medicare Advantage?
Under Advantage plans, the government pays insurers to provide all of the care under a private policy. Medigap also allows retirees to choose their doctors. Advantage plans operate like HMOs, which control the cost of care by requiring policyholders to stay within an approved network of providers.
Does Medigap insurance go up as you age?
Insurance companies set prices for Medigap policies in 1 of 3 ways: Attained-Age Rating — This is the most common way policies are priced in California. Attained age-rated policies increase in price as you age, because as you get older, you typically require more health care.
What is the average age of people on Medicare Advantage?
In 2021, approximately 50 percent of all Medicare Advantage enrollees were aged between 65 and 74 years in the United States. This statistic depicts the distribution of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees in the United States in 2021, by age.
Why do people say not to get a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans can include difficulty switching out of the plans later, restrictions on care access, limited provider networks, and limitations on extra benefits.
Why is it not a good idea to have supplemental insurance?
One of the most significant drawbacks of supplemental insurance policies is the coverage limits. For instance, with Mechanical Repair Coverage, you'll typically need to pay out of pocket until your deductible is met on your primary policy before supplemental insurance takes over to cover a costly vehicle repair.
What does Medigap not pay for?
Medigap plans generally don't cover: Long-term care (like care in a nursing home) Vision or dental care. Hearing aids.
Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare?
If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $518 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($185 in 2025).
Do most doctors accept Medicare Supplement plans?
The short answer is “No”. However, if a doctor accepts Medicare itself, which is your primary coverage, then they will also accept your Medigap plan, regardless of what company sold you the plan or which Medigap plan you have. The key thing to remember is that Medigap plans “follow” Medicare.