Should I keep original Medicare or go with an Part C, Medicare Advantage plan? What is better?
Answered by 17 licensed agents
Original Medicare only should not be a consideration for most people. The financial gaps within Original Medicare will be catastrophic to most people. However, Original Medicare + a Medicare Supplement plan is what you will want to compare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Most of our Medicare clients come down to the conclusion that it's Freedom VS Cost. The Medicare Supplement provides freedom of choice for a Medicare beneficiary, but typically at a higher monthly cost. The Medicare Advantage plan often has a $0 monthly premium for the plan itself, but you are often bargaining with some of your freedom of choice, such as what doctors you can see.
Regarding the cost of a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan, we are referencing what Medicare Supplements & Medicare Advantage plans cost in the state of Florida, as costs can vary across the USA.
Answered by Melanie McCloud on May 10, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL & GA
Answered by Tony Capraro III on May 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in NH & ME
Answered by William Lawler on May 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in MO, FL, IA & 12 other states
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Answered by Paul Potter on May 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL
Answered by Alondra Arce on May 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 14 other states
Then there is the issue of control. With Medicare Advantage you are essentially giving your Medicare over to the insurance company to manage. Are they going to manage it in your best interest or their best interest? I'm sure you have heard the term "prior approval" or "utilization review"...or maybe your doctor just said, "I'd like to do a "such and such" test, but we have to check with the insurance company to make sure they will pay for it.
There's a lot more of that with Medicare Advantage. There are some prior approvals with traditional Medicare, but they really are just looking for fraud, waste, and abuse...they aren't trying to protect their stock price or their executives compensation package.
With traditional Medicare and a supplement you and your doctor have more control of your healthcare.
Now...all that being said...it's going to cost a little more. Most Advantage Plans have plans that are $0 a month (Keep in mind you have to pay your Part B premium whatever your choice is). There is a cost for keeping control of your healthcare and that is the cost of a Medicare Supplement and a Drug Plan (Part D). The price of that supplement will likely go up every year. What you start out paying is not what you will end up paying.
You have to keep your budget in mind.
Answered by Andrew Bennett on May 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, GA & VA
Answered by Diana Salisbury on May 11, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH, IN & MI
This max out of pocket will protect you if you have a bad health year so you’re limited, protected on what you would spend on Medicare approved health care. Keep in mind if you’re trying to keep your out of pocket cost at a minimum you may want to to consider adding a hospital indemnity to your Medicare advantage plan. Even adding this you’re still saving more money going this route than with a supplement. Just keep in mind Medicare advantage plans are not Medicare supplements and you will have to get prior authorization and need to stay in network for the most cost savings with advantage plans. But they do offer additional benefits supplements or original Medicare don’t offer. I hope that helps you make your decision.
Answered by Shannan Pruitt on June 4, 2025
Broker Licensed in AR, MO, OK & TX
Answered by Fred Manas on May 15, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states
Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on May 12, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states
Answered by Carol Thompson on May 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, LA, MI & NC, SC, VA & WI
Answered by Andrew Kramer on May 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
Answered by Douglas Carney on May 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, GA, NC, OK & TX
Selecting Part C Medicare Advantage Plan lessens the risk of exposure to deductible and coinsurance.
Answered by Daniel Keane on June 2, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX, FL, MI & NC
Answered by Joseph Lombardo on May 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, NJ & PA
Answered by Cathy Barnett on June 4, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AL, NC & SC
Answered by William Austin on May 12, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
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