Medigap or Medicare Advantage?

RE: Medigap or Medicare Advantage? Post By mhemerley (Guest Post) (03/27/2008) I have just done all the research for my mother in-law and we decided to go with the medicare advantage plan. The medigap plans were much more expensive. The main thing to look for in the medicare advantage plans is if your doctors take the plans (you need to call them). Also, if you are taking perscription medications - whether they are covered or not. We checked on every perscription before applying to be sure each was covered. Most of the Advantage Plans have a "gap" or "donut hole". This means that you are responsible for paying the full price of the medications once the cost goes over a certain dollar amount (usually $2,510). Some of the new plans (Anthem BCBS) will cover select generics even during the gap - which is a very important thing if you take a lot of meds. Just check on each medication to be sure it is covered during the gap. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Medigap or Medicare Advantage? Post By Claudia -MD (Guest Post) (05/23/2006) Medicare Advantage is the managed care option for your Medicare benefit, rather than the traditional fee-for-service benefit (where you go to any doctor and they bill Medicare directly on your behalf for each service they provide.) Medigap is supplemental insurance over and above your traditional Medicare. Part D is the new drug benefit- you can get that either from a stand-alone drug plan or through a managed care organization. You don't have to be 65 to visit the website, www.medicare.gov, and you can get a lot of info there. I know it seems overwhelming, but if you visit the website and maybe call the local SHIP, you should be able to figure out what you want to do when you are eligible. Good for you for thinking ahead! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Medigap or Medicare Advantage? Post By Pam in RI. (Guest Post) (05/22/2006) Try http://www.medicare.gov again. You don't have to enter any personal info to get answers to general questions. I just tried it again. I clicked on the question "what is medicare advantage?" or something like that. The one where you put in your personal info would still work too. They don't keep the info. It's just for calculations. So you could lie about your birthdate. But you really don't need to. Sometimes it takes a few tries to navigate a large website like that. The next problem is understanding their answers.hehe. I am 68 and still sort of hoping I have made the right choices. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Medigap or Medicare Advantage? Post by keligator (25) | (05/22/2006) Contact Medigap plans (or Medicare Supplement plans) supplement both Parts A and B. They usually cost on average $100, and now do not include drug coverage. (some of them used to). With supplement plans, you can go to any doctor and don't need referrals or anything like that. The Medicare Advantage plans are a fancy name for the HMOs you see. They usually have very little if any, monthly premium. They can include drug coverage. If you don't mind the HMO, then it's the cheaper way to go. If you prefer freedom, than you'd probably like the Supplement plan better. With the supplement plan, your still going to have to decide on a drug plan. Report Spam or Abuse