Why is Medigap better than Advantage?
Asked by: Hoyt Mitchell | Last update: October 18, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (45 votes)
Why is a Medigap plan better than an advantage plan?
A Medicare supplement, or Medigap, offers comprehensive coverage but may have higher premiums. Medicare Advantage plans, on the other hand, provide additional benefits and often lower out-of-pocket costs but come with network restrictions.
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.
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 biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
- Plans can also cost more overall than Original Medicare if you have complex medical needs. ...
- With some plans, you don't have any coverage if you use a doctor that isn't in the network.
Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplements 2024 Which is Better?
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.
Why do seniors choose Medicare Advantage?
People with Medicare are drawn to Medicare Advantage for the extra benefits. Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits, like reduced cost-sharing, dental coverage, gym memberships and debit cards for over-the-counter medical supplies that are not covered by traditional Medicare.
Are most people happy with Medicare Advantage?
Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans say they're largely happy, but have plenty of issues with each program. When Americans are asked what they think about Medicare, they generally rate the program highly.
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.
Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
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.
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.
What percentage of seniors have Medigap insurance?
More Than Four in Ten (42%) Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare Have a Medigap Policy, But Enrollment Varies by State.
Why would anyone want a Medicare Advantage Plan?
With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may have coverage for things Original Medicare doesn't cover, like fitness programs (gym memberships or discounts) and some vision, hearing, and dental services (like routine checkups or cleanings).
Can I switch from an Advantage plan to a Medigap plan?
Yes, you can attempt to switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap during open enrollment, but you may face denials or higher costs compared to Medicare Advantage costs. You must disenroll in Medicare Advantage, enroll in Original Medicare, and apply for Medigap.
Why are hospitals refusing 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.
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 type of medical insurance do most retirees have?
Since Medicare pays first after you retire, your retiree coverage is probably similar to coverage from a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy. Both are likely to offer benefits that fill in some of the gaps in Medicare coverage—like coinsurance and deductibles.
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.
Why do agents push Medicare Advantage plans?
Why do brokers push Advantage plans so hard? It's money. Sorry, that's the honest truth. The commission for an Advantage plan can be roughly double that of the most popular Medicare supplement plan and it's paid all at one time.
What percent of seniors choose Medicare Advantage?
In 2024, 32.8 million people are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, accounting for more than half, or 54 percent, of the eligible Medicare population, and $462 billion (or 54%) of total federal Medicare spending (net of offsetting receipts, such as premiums).
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.
What is the purpose of Medigap policy?
A Medigap policy is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill the “gaps” in Original Medicare Plan coverage. Medigap policies help pay some of the health care costs that the Original Medicare Plan doesn't cover.