Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage

When you start Medicare, you choose one of two main paths. Neither is right for everyone. Here’s how they compare.

	Original Medicare + Supplement + Part D	Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Monthly premium	Part B premium, plus the Supplement premium, plus a drug plan premium	Part B premium, plus the plan’s premium (some plans have a $0 plan premium)
Costs when you get care	Low and predictable. Depending on the plan, you may pay little or nothing beyond the Part B deductible.	Copays and coinsurance as you go, up to the plan’s yearly out-of-pocket limit
Doctors and hospitals	Any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. No referrals.	Usually a network (HMO or PPO). Some plans need referrals to see specialists.
Prescription drugs	Separate Part D plan	Often included in the plan (MAPD)
Extra benefits	Not included. Dental, vision and hearing are bought separately if you want them.	Many plans include some dental, vision, hearing or other extras. Benefits vary by plan and county.
Travel	Works anywhere in the U.S. Some plans cover foreign travel emergencies.	Mainly covers care in the plan’s service area, except emergencies
Changing later	In Texas, switching Supplements after your first 6 months usually means answering health questions	You can change plans each year during Annual Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7)

A Supplement may fit you if…

You want predictable costs and are comfortable with a higher monthly premium.
You want to keep seeing specific doctors or specialists, or use major medical centers without network limits.
You travel often or spend part of the year outside Texas.

Medicare Advantage may fit you if…

A lower monthly premium matters most to you.
Your doctors are in a plan’s network.
You’d use extra benefits like dental, vision or hearing coverage.
You’re comfortable with copays as you use care.

Questions to ask yourself

Which doctors, hospitals and specialists do I want to keep?
What prescriptions do I take, and which pharmacy do I use?
Would I rather pay more each month, or more when I use care?
How much time do I spend outside the Houston area?
Do I want dental, vision or hearing coverage included?

Timing matters

If you’re turning 65, your first 6 months with Part B is the easiest time to get a Supplement, because companies can’t use your health to turn you down. If you start with Medicare Advantage instead, you may not be able to get a Supplement later without health questions. See the Turning 65 timeline.

Schedule a time to compare Call (832) 734-6825

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Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

One agent. Your doctors. Your medications.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 8 to 11 MAPD plans in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Alph Coleman is a licensed insurance agent in Texas (license #1319502) and a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage organizations and stand-alone prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations he represents has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. This is a solicitation for insurance.