Medicare Supplement
A Medicare supplement or Medigap insurance, are sold by private companies. They are made and regulated by Medicare to pay health care costs that Original Medicare does not cover. These include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
There are no network restrictions or referrals with Medicare Supplement plans.
If you buy a Medicare supplement or Medigap policy, and have Original Medicare already, Medicare will pay its share of the approved amount, for covered health care costs. Medicare will then bill your Medigap or Supplement policy with the remainder of the Medicare approved charges, that Medicare does not cover. A Medicare supplement or Medigap policy are very different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. To put it quite simply, Medicare supplements work with your Original Medicare, whereas Medicare Advantage plans “replace” Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage
A Medicare Advantage Plan also known as Part C is a type of Medicare health plan offered and created by a private company that contracts with Medicare. They provide you with your hospitalization and physician service benefits, however you will NOT be allowed to use your original Medicare with any Medicare Advantage plan. Even though you are not able to use your Part A or Part B through Original Medicare, you will still have to continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and can also have different rules for how you get services, which can be changed annually. Medicare Advantage Plans are contracted plans. Depending on your situation, you may have to wait until a certain enrollment period to change your Advantage Plan or to switch back to your original Medicare Plan. The biggest benefit of a Medicare Advantage Plans is typically the low cost and that most offer prescription drug coverage.
Drug Plan ( Part D)
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are private insurance plans that cover part or all of the costs of prescription drugs for people with Medicare. Medicare drug plans are also called Medicare Part D or PDP plans. There is no single Medicare prescription drug plan. There are a variety of plans, with different costs and benefits.
Private insurance companies that offer Medicare drug plans get subsidies from the federal government to help cover their costs. People who join prescription drug plans also share in the costs. Drug plan members pay monthly premiums, possibly annual deductibles, coinsurance/copayments, and possibly a coverage gap. People with limited income and resources can get Extra Help to pay some or all of these costs.