Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Health insurance is a very important issue in the United States. And while many Americans are insured, either through Medicare, Medicaid, or another private insurer, there are still many who are left with huge gaps in their medical coverage. This is what the Medigap policy was created for – to fill that gap left by your current insurance provider.

With Medicare, there are numerous Medicare Advantage plans you can take use to further your coverage. But still, for many this isn't enough, and most are still left with medical bills that they simply cannot afford.

Medicare Advantage Plans vs. Medigap

One of the biggest disadvantages to either program is that with Medigap you usually have to be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to qualify; this means not only will you be paying premiums for your Medicare Part B, but for any Medigap coverage as well. And your out of pocket expenses will vary from company to company, so you'll want to make sure you take all of your costs with Medigap into consideration, as well.

To receive benefits through Medicare Advantage, you must still be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and B. And while you still have to pay for coverage on your Medicare Part B, your out of pocket fees are usually limited with Medicare Advantage in comparison to Medigap, and they are generally much more stable throughout the industry, as well. Furthermore, you cannot have both policies at the same time; if you join a Medicare Advantage plan, your Medigap plan is no longer valid.

Medigap plans are usually more upfront about the specific types of coverage each plan offers. While Medicare Advantage makes no effort to hide these facts, they are often hard to find for most people.