When you start looking into Medicare plans, you will likely come across both Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap). Both plans can lower your healthcare costs, but they work in very different ways — and to make things more complex, you are not allowed to enroll in both at the same time.

Below, this supplemental Medicare agency in La Crosse, Indiana is going to break down why Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans are not compatible with each other.

Medicare Advantage Plans give you all-in-one coverage, but they have network restrictions.

Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. Instead of having separate Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) and Medicare Part B (medical coverage), a Medicare Advantage Plan bundles these into one plan. Many of these plans also include extra benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, like coverage for prescription drugs, dental, vision, and hearing services.

When you sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan, it replaces your Original Medicare and becomes your primary insurance, so you are going to have to follow the rules of the plan. Unlike Original Medicare, which allows you to see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans have networks, so you may only be able to see certain doctors and hospitals to get full coverage. If you go outside the network, you could have to pay higher costs, and you might not get any coverage.

If you are thinking about enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you need to make sure it covers your doctors, prescriptions, and medical needs. An experienced supplemental Medicare agency in La Crosse, Indiana can help you compare different Medicare Advantage plans to find one that best matches your healthcare needs and budget.

Medigap policies work alongside Original Medicare to reduce costs.

Medigap policies work alongside Original Medicare to cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not pay for, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

One of the biggest reasons to get a Medigap policy from an experienced supplemental Medicare agency in La Crosse, Indiana is flexibility. With Original Medicare + Medigap, you can see any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare. There are no network restrictions, which will be especially helpful if you travel frequently or want more freedom to choose your doctors.

You should know that Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs. So, if you choose this option, you will need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan to get coverage for your medications.

Medicare does not allow you to have both a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medigap policy at the same time.

Medigap and Medicare Advantage are designed to do completely different things, which is why you cannot have both at the same time. As a matter of fact, Medicare regulations do not allow insurance companies to sell you a Medigap policy if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan unless you are switching back to Original Medicare.

These are the main reasons why you cannot have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans:

Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare: Medigap supplements Original Medicare, but when you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you no longer use Original Medicare as your primary insurance. That makes Medigap unnecessary.

Different cost structures: Medicare Advantage Plans usually have lower monthly premiums but require copayments and coinsurance whenever you use medical services. Medigap policies have higher monthly premiums but cover most out-of-pocket expenses, which makes your costs more predictable.

Coverage overlap: Medigap pays for costs not covered by Original Medicare, but Medicare Advantage Plans already have their own cost-sharing structure. In other words, a Medigap policy would not give you any extra benefits if you are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

If you are confused about which plan is a better match for you, an experienced supplemental Medicare agency in La Crosse, Indiana can help you compare your options based on your health needs, doctor preferences, and financial situation.

Looking for a Supplemental Medicare Agency in La Crosse, Indiana?

Are you ready to get in touch with an experienced supplemental Medicare agency in La Crosse, Indiana that can help you review your Medicare options? If so, Senior Care Insurance Services is just a call away. We’re here to help you compare the available Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, understand their costs, and make the best choice for your healthcare needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a knowledgeable agent.