Medicare 101 Series
Medicare · Plan Types Compared
Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage
vs Medicare Supplement
Three paths. Same goal: cover your health in retirement. The differences come down to doctor freedom, cost predictability, and what's built in versus what you pay extra for. Here's how each one stacks up.
Original Medicare
Parts A + B (from the government)
The federal program. You can see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare — no networks. Part A is usually premium-free; Part B has a monthly premium and a 20% co-insurance on most services with no out-of-pocket maximum. You can pair it with a Part D drug plan and a Medigap (Supplement) policy to fill the gaps.
Pros
Cons
Best for
People who travel, want freedom of doctor choice, or have chronic conditions.
Medicare Advantage
Part C (private bundled plan)
Private insurers bundle A + B (+ usually D) into one plan, often $0 premium beyond your Part B premium. Comes with a maximum out-of-pocket cap. Typically includes dental, vision, hearing, and gym benefits. Uses a network — HMO, PPO, or POS — so doctor flexibility is more limited.
Pros
Cons
Best for
People in stable health, who stay local, and like one-plan simplicity.
Medicare Supplement
Medigap — adds onto Original Medicare
Private policies that fill Original Medicare's cost gaps (deductibles, co-insurance). Standardized across carriers — Plan G from Carrier A covers the same as Plan G from Carrier B. You pay a monthly premium on top of Part B, but afterward most services are fully covered. Paired with a separate Part D drug plan.
Pros
Cons
Best for
People who want predictable costs, full doctor freedom, and have stable budget room.
Original Medicare's coinsurance — with no out-of-pocket max
Without a Medigap policy, you're on the hook for 20% of most Part B services indefinitely. Medicare Advantage and Medigap both solve this — differently.
Which path fits you?
Choose Original + Supplement if…
You travel often, want to use specialists nationwide without referrals, or have chronic conditions where predictable costs matter more than monthly savings.
Choose Medicare Advantage if…
You're in good health, stay local, and prefer one bundled plan with $0 premium plus extras like dental, vision, hearing.
Not sure which fits your situation?
We'll walk through your doctors, prescriptions, and budget — and tell you which path makes the most sense for the next 10 years.
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Sources
Educational content only. Not financial advice. Consult a licensed advisor for your specific situation.