Is it better to get Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage?

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/is-it-better-to-get-medicare-part-d-or-medicare-advantage#tony-capraro

Mark Maliwauki · Answer

Medicare Part D will cost you an extra premium and it would be paired with a Medicare Supplement as they don't come with an Rx plan. 

Medicare Advantage plans with the exception of specific veteran's plans come with Rx built in and there is no additional cost for the coverage.

Ben Washington · Answer

Is it better to get Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage? Well part D help lower your cost, and Medicare Advantage can include Part D as well. Also include extra benefits like vision, dental, and hearing. It also includes routine physical exam. Medicare Advantage are care management plan.

Answered by Ben Washington on May 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL, FL, MN, SC, TX & WI

Answered by Ben Washington Medicare Insurance Agent

Renee Brown · Answer

There really isn't a perfect answer to this question. It is based on what each person's needs and the how they want to be covered. The best choice really is an individual choice and how they look at their insurance needs and money they want to have to spend monthly on their insurance.
More often Part D plans will have a higher Deductible and copay costs over a Medicare Advantage, so looking at each person's medications is a must when deciding on these plans.

Tammera Marrs · Answer

The answer is, "It depends." Part D may be the best option to some clients and Medicare Advantage could be the best option to other clients. Each situation is different. Working closely with clients we will be able to answer that question together

Answered by Tammera Marrs on May 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in KS

Answered by Tammera Marrs Medicare Insurance Agent

Kyle Kokot · Answer

The question here should be... Is it better to go with a Medigap and part D vs Medicare Advantage part C. When trying to decide this will be based off a few factors. 

1. How's your health?
2. Can you afford going the Medigap route?
3. Do you travel often?

There are a few other questions we would ask someone one but it will be different for everyone.

The short answer to this would be there is nothing as good as going with Medicare, supplement and a drug card but on the flipside it is a way more expensive route and weather you are sick or not you will pay premiums.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

One of the misconceptions about the above question is that there is a choice when applying for an “MA” or Medicare Advantage plan. You have the right to choose an “MAPD”, the PD standing for Prescription Drugs or an MA that does not include drug coverage. If you prefer the latter for whatever reason, you must pick up a Part D(rug) plan as the alternative. If you don't, there will be a lifetime penalty added to a drug plan’s premium for every month that you did not acquire drug coverage at age 65.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

That depends on your situation. Prescription drug coverage included with Medicare Advantage plans tend to have lower to no Part D deductibles as well as lower copays whereas stand alone Part D plans include a separate premium are subject to a deductible for brand name prescriptions on tiers 3-5.

Answered by Timothy Brown on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Salisbury · Answer

If you can't answer this on your own, you should schedule a meeting with an insurance broker or agent.  

Both have pros and cons - and it is a good idea to see which will work best for you.

Chad Watkins · Answer

While Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage both provide prescription drug coverage, they are very different as Medicare Advantage also provides medical coverage, thus the two are not comparable.

Tammy Stoner · Answer

Typically, prescription costs are similar between Medicare Advantage and Medicare part D. 
Formulary listings (tiers) are often mirrored. 

Some Advantage plans may have lower costs on prescriptions due to being all inclusive and with lower co-pays. The other benefit may be no additional cost for a stand alone part D plan.

I can help you navigate the differences to choose the best plan for you.

Eduardo Camacho · Answer

I think the answer is in what the client values the most, A stand Alone Part D plan only makes sense if you want to have a Medigap Plan and want to have the freedom to switch Medical Service Providers at any time, If you enroll in Medicare Advantage it makes senses to have all services covered under one plan rather than have duplicate premium separate that covers only medications.

Answered by Eduardo Camacho on April 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, FL, NC, NV, SC & TX

Answered by Eduardo Camacho Medicare Insurance Agent

Brian Leichner · Answer

The answer depends On the medicines you take and where you fill the prescriptions. There are big differences amongst drug costs. I can assist you as I do this for all of my clients, in finding the best match for you! Brian Leichner, ProInsuranceResources.com 402-896-9774.

Answered by Brian Leichner on April 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in NE, AZ, CO & IA, KS, MO & TN

Answered by Brian Leichner Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Brauer · Answer

Well...that depends on your situation and what is important to you. With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you usually have to stay within the plan's provider network, which is centered around the area where you live and usually includes the Part D prescription drug coverage as part of the plan. Its a "bundled" product. With a Part D plan, people usually have a Medicare Supplement plan, or a Medigap plan, to "supplement" the 20% that Part B does not cover. The downside to this is that MediGap plans can be pricey....not so much when you are 65, but over the years they increase substantially.

Answered by Steve Brauer on May 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Glenn Alterman · Answer

The answer depends upon if you have Part D coverage as good or better from work and if so you can avoid a Part D penalty. However, since Part D is no cost, why would you not sign up? You can call me at 800-891-5151 and I will sign you up for this plan depending upon your zip code and suggest a Plan G supplement with Silver Sneakers so you can see any doctor taking Medicare I would only take an Advantage plan if you can live with network restrictions but want dental, vision, transportation, Spendable’s card, and other benefits for zero monthly premium

Answered by Glenn Alterman on April 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AZ, CA & FL, NJ, OH & TN

Answered by Glenn Alterman Medicare Insurance Agent

Karen Ansell · Answer

This is a personal question.
Many people like having straight Medicare and a part D prescription plan because more doctors accept straight Medicare. However you will owe the part A & B deductibles and normally 20% of the approve with no out of pocket maximum.
I would advise a Medicare Supplement with straight Medicare to pick up some of the out of pocket costs.
Medicare Advantage plans have their place but normally have a network of doctors and hospitals to adhere to and have prior authorizations for care. They also have copays and coinsurance but do have a maximum out of pocket you would spend in a year. Most do offer some coverage for  dental, vision and hearing as well.

Chuck Winslow · Answer

That all depends on you and your health goals. Medicare is thw one health plan that can be truly driven towards your health goals. 

In my opinion I feel like an Advantage Plan is so much better as long as you cover yourself with gap protection. 

Reach out to someone who not only does Medicare but also takes care of all thw little things that not everyone things about. 

Happy to help anytime I can!

Steven Rodriguez Giudicelli · Answer

It really depends on your individual healthcare needs and preferences. Medicare Part D is a stand-alone prescription drug plan that you add to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) if you want drug coverage and prefer the flexibility of Original Medicare. On the other hand, a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) often includes Part D coverage, along with other benefits like vision, dental, and hearing, but may have network restrictions.

Answered by Steven Rodriguez Giudicelli on June 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL & TX

Answered by Steven Rodriguez Giudicelli Medicare Insurance Agent

Randy Hill · Answer

Great question! Let’s break this down super simply.

Think of Medicare like a lunch tray. Original Medicare (Parts A & B) gives you your main meal (hospital and doctor coverage). But you're still missing a drink and dessert — that’s where Part D (prescription drugs) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) come in.

Here’s the difference between Part D and Medicare Advantage:

---

Option 1: Original Medicare + Part D

You keep Original Medicare (Parts A & B) that pays 80% you are responsible for 20%

Add Part D to help pay for prescription drugs

Optional: Add a Medigap (Supplement) plan to help cover the 20%  costs Medicare doesn’t pay

Good if you:

Want freedom to see any doctor that takes Medicare — no networks

Travel a lot or live in more than one state

Don’t mind paying more in monthly premiums for flexibility

---

Option 2: Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Replaces Original Medicare — you get everything in one plan

Usually includes Part A, Part B, and Part D

Often has extra perks like dental, vision, gym memberships

Good if you:

Want lower monthly costs (often $0 premiums. You pay small copays until you reach your maximum out of pocket (MOOP).

Are okay using doctors in a network

Like having all your benefits in one simple plan

---

So, which is better?

It depends on what's more important to you:

Freedom and flexibility? Go with Original Medicare + Part D (and maybe Medigap).

Convenience and savings? Try Medicare Advantage.

---

Bonus Tip: You can’t have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage — you have to pick one path.

If you want, I can help you compare both options based on your personal situation.

Gene Page · Answer

Medicare Part D is a stand alone product and is generally pared with a Supplement (Medigap) policy.
Medicare Advantage generally has a built in prescription drug product. Some plans,  MA-only,  exclude drug coverage and are typically purchased by those who have access to VA drug coverage which is considered creditable.
There are instances where a drug may be covered under one plan, but not another, so that could be a deciding factor. 
You cannot purchase more than one Medicare contracted Rx plan at a time.
You  must maintain creditable drug coverage to avoid future penalties.

Silvana Peacock · Answer

It depends on each person's needs. Medicare Advantage plans often include boult-in part D coverage along with added benefits like dental and vision, but they come with networks and copays. On the other hand, Original Medicare with a separate Part D plan may offer more flexibility in provider choice and is often better for those with frequent specialist visits. I always help clients compare both options based on their prescriptions, providers, and budget

Answered by Silvana Peacock on May 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, MI, NC, NJ, SC & VA

Answered by Silvana Peacock Medicare Insurance Agent

Taylor Blankenship · Answer

Everyone’s situation is different so in reality we would need to sit down and go over the options and compare. But in most cases Medicare Advantage plans have more benefits with great Drug coverage.

Is it better to get Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage?

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Is it better to get Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage?

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