Is Medigap an advantage plan?

Asked by: Miss Marjolaine Renner  |  Last update: November 14, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (46 votes)

A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). A Medicare Advantage Plan is another way to get your Medicare coverage besides Original Medicare. A Medigap policy is a supplement to Original Medicare coverage.

Is Medigap the same as advantage?

While Medicare Advantage can be more affordable for people with long-term health issues, Original Medicare with Medigap offers the flexibility of a larger provider network.

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 downside to Medigap plans?

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.

Why are people leaving Medicare 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.

Best Medicare Supplement Companies - 2025 Review

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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.

Why are seniors losing Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare vs Privatized Medicare Advantage

Beneficiaries are tossed aside because they live in an unprofitable market for their insurer or because they are actually using the insurance they signed up for to access services.

Is Medigap being phased out?

For example, Medigap plans C and F will no longer be available to new Medicare recipients after January 1st, 2020.

Do Medigap plans cost more 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 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.

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 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.

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.

How much does Medigap cost per month?

The average monthly Medigap premium across all current Medigap policyholders (including people under 65, people who smoke tobacco, and people who are in a high deductible or SELECT plan) was $217, ranging from $191 in Alaska to $267 in New York in 2023 (Figure 5, Appendix Table 4).

Can you have both Medicare Advantage and Medigap?

When you're getting started with Medicare, you can either buy Medigap or enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, but you can't have both. You can't buy Medigap while you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan unless you're switching back to Original Medicare.

Which company has the best Medicare Advantage Plan?

Best Medicare Advantage Plans for 2025
  • Best Overall, Best for Low Costs: Cigna.
  • Also Great for Low Costs: Alignment Health.
  • Best for Nationwide Coverage: Aetna.
  • Best for Patient Experience, Best for Drug Coverage: Kaiser Permanente.
  • Best for Special Needs Plans: Humana.

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.

How long does Medigap last?

A: Nothing happens to them. A Medigap Plan is guaranteed renewable for as long as you want to keep it and the premiums are paid. If you keep your current Medigap policy, your benefits will stay the same regardless of the changes to the law.

Is Medicare getting rid of Advantage plans?

Many older adults will see their Medicare Advantage plan eliminated next year, but that could be a boon for those who want to exit the program and move to government-run Medicare. Medicare Advantage, the privately run alternative to traditional Medicare, now enrolls more than half of all Medicare beneficiaries.

Is Medigap taken out of Social Security?

Yes, you can choose to have your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) premiums automatically deducted from your Social Security benefits. This is a convenient option for many beneficiaries as it ensures timely and consistent payment of premiums.

What 3 states allow year round enrollment in Medigap?

The four states with year-round open enrollment are:
  • New York.
  • Connecticut.
  • Vermont.
  • Washington.
  • Oklahoma.

Why are hospitals refusing 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.

What is happening to Medicare Advantage plans in 2025?

In 2025, Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage will feature lower out-of-pocket cost limits and new payment options. Changes include: Annual out-of-pocket cap reduced from $8,000 to $2,000. Elimination of the Medicare donut hole in 2025.

Is Humana pulling out of Medicare Advantage plans?

Humana will stop offering Medicare Advantage (MA) in 13 counties in 2025, Humana CFO Susan Diamond said in a published report in Becker's Payer Issues dated Sept. 3, 2024.