Medicare Supplements vs Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplement plans work with Original Medicare to fill in the gaps of what Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a comprehensive program that exceeds the scope of Original Medicare. Compare the two options here:
| Medicare Supplement | Medicare Advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors and Hospitals | Any doctor/hospital that accepts Medicare | Doctor/hospital in network. May incur higher cost sharing out of network, if allowed |
| Referrals | Not Required | May be required. May need to be in network |
| Network | No network restrictions | May have network restrictions |
| Enrolling/Disenrolling | Apply any time after you turn 65 and join Medicare Parts A and B. May change plans any time during the year | Generally, specific periods during the year when you can enroll or switch to another plan |
| Costs | You pay a monthly plan premium in addition to your Part B premium and deductible. You may pay co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles. Some plans limit out-of-pocket costs. | Generally you pay a low or $0 monthly plan premium in addition to your Part B premium. You may pay co-pays, and co-insurance. Annual out-of-pocket costs are limited. |
| Prescription drug coverage | No. Consider adding a stand-alone prescription drug plan. | Yes |
| Dental | Varies by plan | Yes. Co-pay cost sharing. Some plans have $0 co-pay for basic services. |
| Routine vision coverage | Varies by plan | Yes |
| Routine hearing exam and hearing aid coverage | Varies by plan | Yes |
| Plans for those with special needs | No | Yes |
| Low-income subsidy or extra help | No | Yes |
| OTC health product benefit | No | Yes |
| Gym/Fitness Center benefits | Many plans | Most plans |
| Medically necessary transportation | No | Varies by plan |
| In-home support services | No | Varies by plan |
| Healthy Foods card | No | Available with some plans |
Click here or call 941/704-6343 to contact a licensed agent.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent nine organizations which offer 76 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.