A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan are two very different types of insurance that many individuals confuse as being the same. It is important to understand what each plan is and is not in order to purchase the best coverage for your needs.
Put simply, a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is a secondary insurance plan sold by private insurance companies. This plan type is designed to fill in the “gaps” left by original Medicare A & B. Again, Medicare does not cover 100% of everything, and so it is important to purchase a Medicare Supplement to fill those gaps.
On the other hand, a Medicare Advantage Plan is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans provide all of your Part A and Part B benefits. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, most Medicare services are covered through the plan. Medicare services are not paid for by Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription drug coverage.
