If Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are better for long-term coverage, why don't more people choose them?

Question

Tony Capraro III · Accepted Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/if-medicare-supplement-plans-are-better-for-long-term-coverage-why-dont-more-people-choose-them#tony-capraro

Clarence &quot;Mark&quot; Christiansen · Answer

Medicare supplement plans are generally much lower cost for people age 65 - to - 70 but after that, things change. I have customers who started paying $ 125 monthly for their supplements but their plans closed for new business and increased premiums on current grandfathered members to $ 500 monthly (and higher).

Answered by Clarence "Mark" Christiansen on April 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI, AZ, CA & 16 other states

Answered by Clarence "Mark" Christiansen Medicare Insurance Agent

Norman Smith · Answer

Advertising often misleads people to assume they know things they don't. The privatized companies that offer MA plans televise 9500 commercials per day! Have you seen many, if any, commercials regarding supplement plans? So many people don't have the information about them and the difference they make. In today's world, many seniors fear that they will be "Taken for a ride", so trusting a company or an agent is difficult. 
MA companies make it seem so easy! They lay out the positives, but don't show what is missing from the policies, such as the choice of practitioners, specialists, or travel benefits. It doesn't show that the highest quality choices very often do not accept the MA product. It doesn't show what Out-of-Pocket costs are if you do not choose a Network Provider. It doesn't clarify that in giving your Original Medicare back for the MA plan that you lose coverage for your Durable Medical Equipment needs. Those plans need to be changed every year, and the policy you have today may not be in place next year, or your Doctor may not even participate in that plan any longer. You rarely have that issue with Medigap plans. 
And we cannot leave out that the premiums for the Medigap plans may be out of reach for some. Unfortunately, some find out too late that they chose "Easy" instead of "Thorough", and what they saved in premiums cost them hugely later on when they needed more quality coverage.

Sandra Kerley · Answer

I feel like this answer can be best answered by why people choose them and why they don't.

Some reasons people choose Medicare Supplement:

They can afford the monthly premium - as they tend to be higher than the advantage plans and can afford the annual raise in cost.
There are no networks.
Prior authorizations are not required for services.
Referrals are not required for specialists.


Some reasons people choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare supplement:
Monthly premiums can be as low as $0. 
They can include other coverages such as dental, vision, hearing and more.

Medicare Advantage Plans have a maximum out of pocket cost.

Nancy Courser · Answer

Many people are enticed by the low premiums for the Advantage plan and additional benefits like fitness, dental, vision, over-the-counter, etc. They view their health in today's terms not in future terms when potentially health changes occur. So, it's about the cost and coverage. People also think that they can enroll in a Medigap down the road but find out that guarantee issue rights are not available and cannot medically qualify. They forget that after the initial enrollment, the insurance company requires the applications to go through medical underwriting. Not everyone qualifies and pre-existing do count in the overall evaluation.

Answered by Nancy Courser on May 23, 2025

Agent Licensed in MI & FL

Answered by Nancy Courser Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Brauer · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/if-medicare-supplement-plans-are-better-for-long-term-coverage-why-dont-more-people-choose-them#steve-brauer

Marcie Barnes · Answer

The coverage a beneficiary choses is a personal choice.  Medsup plans have a cost that some people can't afford.  Medicare Advantage plans offer more comprehensive coverage including dental, vision, hearing etc.

Medsups are like having car insurance.  You pay a monthly premium and hope you don't need it.  Medicare Advantage is more like pay as you need it.

Mike Henry · Answer

Mainly cost. Most advantage plans have little or no cost.  Also no or low cost drug and Dr coverage.

Glenn Alterman · Answer

Some don’t chose them because they don’t want to pay for them and like the MAPD plans with no premium or very small premiums

Kelly Linster · Answer

Better is a very subjective term. I find when a client is educated on both Advantage plans & Supplement plans. They choose what fits their needs the best from the very start of Medicare.

Chris Prang · Answer

First, one has to define “better”. What is “better”?
•	No networks.
•	Less prior authorizations.
•	More financial protection if something serious happens.
•	Standardized...A Plan G is a Plan G no matter where you live. They don’t change from year-to-year.

After that, the main reasons why more people don’t choose them are as follows:

1.	The 800# TV ads from the corrupt, publicly traded e-brokers. The ads and agents that represent these companies do not give full disclosure about ALL the options and pros and cons of each option that a Medicare beneficiary has. Unfortunately many people that have enrolled into Medicare Advantage over the last 5 years or so have little to no clue what they have and the pros and cons that go along with it.

2.	Almost 20% of Medicare beneficiaries also receive Medicaid, therefore they have no need for a Medicare Supplement.

3.	Many people can’t afford the escalating premiums. For those that can’t, they need to seriously consider a High-Deductible Plan G. It is “The Best Alternative To Medicare Advantage.” See here: https://youtu.be/J3g9a3-nHaQ

4.	Then you have a large percentage of Medicare beneficiaries that have group retiree coverage in place of or in addition to their regular Medicare. These would include those who have retired from federal, state, and local government, as well as those in the military that have Tricare for Life.

5.	Lastly, there are people that have truly weighed their options and prefer Medicare Advantage over a Medicare Supplement because of the $0 to low premiums and the extra benefits (dental, vision, etc.). And they are willing to deal with copays, networks, and annual changes. From my experience and research, the vast majority of people that have a Medicare Advantage plan are satisfied to very satisfied with their plans.

So, “better" depends on each Medicare beneficiary's specific needs, philosophy, and budget.

I hope that helps.

Regards,

Chris