Plan Comparison

Compare Medicare Plan Types

See the side-by-side differences between Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D to make an informed choice.

How the Plans Compare

Feature	Medicare Advantage (Part C)	Medicare Supplement (Medigap)	Prescription Drug (Part D)
Monthly Premium	Often $0 or very low	Higher monthly premium	Varies widely (often $0 to $100+)
Out-of-Pocket Costs	Copays/coinsurance as you go, with a yearly maximum limit	Highly predictable; covers most approved medical costs	Deductible, then copays/coinsurance for covered drugs
Doctor Networks	Usually restricted to local HMO or PPO networks	Any doctor in the U.S. that accepts Medicare	Uses specific pharmacy networks
Referrals Needed?	Often required for specialists	No referrals required	N/A
Prescription Drugs	Usually included automatically	Not included; must buy Part D	Primary purpose (Covers drugs)
Extra Benefits	Often includes dental, vision, hearing, etc.	Generally not included	Not included
Travel Coverage	Usually emergency care only outside local area	Covered anywhere in the U.S.	Covered at domestic network pharmacies

Monthly Premium

Advantage (Part C)Often $0 or very low

Supplement (Medigap)Higher monthly premium

Prescription (Part D)Varies widely (often $0 to $100+)

Out-of-Pocket Costs

Advantage (Part C)Copays/coinsurance as you go, with a yearly maximum limit

Supplement (Medigap)Highly predictable; covers most approved medical costs

Prescription (Part D)Deductible, then copays/coinsurance for covered drugs

Doctor Networks

Advantage (Part C)Usually restricted to local HMO or PPO networks

Supplement (Medigap)Any doctor in the U.S. that accepts Medicare

Prescription (Part D)Uses specific pharmacy networks

Referrals Needed?

Advantage (Part C)Often required for specialists

Supplement (Medigap)No referrals required

Prescription (Part D)N/A

Prescription Drugs

Advantage (Part C)Usually included automatically

Supplement (Medigap)Not included; must buy Part D

Prescription (Part D)Primary purpose (Covers drugs)

Extra Benefits

Advantage (Part C)Often includes dental, vision, hearing, etc.

Supplement (Medigap)Generally not included

Prescription (Part D)Not included

Travel Coverage

Advantage (Part C)Usually emergency care only outside local area

Supplement (Medigap)Covered anywhere in the U.S.

Prescription (Part D)Covered at domestic network pharmacies

Plan Guidance

Choosing the right Medicare path depends on your lifestyle, health needs, and budget preferences.

You prefer paying lower monthly premiums and don't mind copays.
You want the convenience of having medical, hospital, and drug coverage in one plan.
You value extra benefits like routine dental, vision, and fitness memberships.
You are comfortable seeing doctors within a specific local network.

You prefer strict budget predictability and near zero out-of-pocket medical costs.
You want the ultimate freedom to choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
You travel frequently across the United States.
You have chronic health conditions and anticipate high healthcare usage.

You have Original Medicare or are enrolling in a Medigap policy.
You currently take daily prescription medications.
You are healthy but want to avoid the lifelong late enrollment penalty for drug coverage.

Take Action

Our licensed agents can help you weigh costs, coverage, and networks to find the exact Medicare plan that fits your situation.