Learn the difference between Medicare advantage and Medicare supplements
How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?
A Medicare Advantage is another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called "Part C" or "MA Plans," are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you'll still have Medicare but you'll get most of your Part A and Part B coverage from your Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare.
These "bundled" plans include Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and usually Medicare drug coverage (Part D). With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may have coverage for things Original Medicare doesn't cover.
Each plan can have different rules for how you get services, like needing referrals to see a specialist. Costs for monthly premiums and services you get vary depending on which plan you join.
Plans must cover all emergency and urgent care, and almost all medically necessary services Original Medicare covers. Some plans tailor their benefit packages to offer additional benefits to treat specific conditions.
How Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies work with Medicare Advantage Plans
You can’t buy (and don't need) Medigap while you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan. You can’t use Medigap to pay for any costs (copayments, deductibles, and premiums) you have under a Medicare Advantage Plan.