◊ Your two paths
Every Medicare decision comes down to one fork: keep Original Medicare and add a Supplement plus a Part D plan, or move your benefits into a Medicare Advantage plan. Neither is universally better — the right answer depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, your travel, and your budget.
| Original Medicare + Supplement | Medicare Advantage (Part C) | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider access | Any provider in the US who accepts Medicare | The plan's local network (HMO or PPO) |
| Referrals | Never required for Medicare to pay a claim | Often required with HMO plans |
| Monthly premium | Higher — plus your Part B premium | Often $0 — plus your Part B premium |
| Cost when you use care | Predictable; Plan G covers nearly everything after the Part B deductible | Copays and coinsurance up to an annual out-of-pocket maximum |
| Drug coverage | Add a standalone Part D plan | Usually built into the plan |
| Coverage when traveling | Nationwide; ideal for snowbirds and frequent travelers | Emergency only outside the service area |
| Health questions | None during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment; underwriting after | None — guaranteed acceptance during valid election periods |
| Extras (dental, vision, gym) | Not included | Commonly included |
Medigap plans are standardized by letter, so Plan G from one carrier pays exactly the same as Plan G from another. The only real differences are price, rate-increase history, and customer service — which is why shopping every A-rated carrier in your ZIP code matters more than brand recognition.
Advantage plans trade a low premium for a network and an annual out-of-pocket maximum. They can be an excellent fit when your doctors are in-network and you stay close to home — and a poor fit if you split the year between two states or see specialists at an out-of-area medical center.
Choose your state to see enrollment statistics, carriers, and city-by-city notes — or find an advisor.