Page 24 - North Haven Magazine Issue 39 Summer 2025
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Medicare Insurance Questions?
FRANK LANDINO
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS
As you approach Medicare eligibility or review your current coverage,
one of the biggest decisions you'll face is whether to enroll in a Medi-
care Advantage Plan (Part C) or purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan
(Medigap). While both options are designed to help manage health-
care costs beyond what Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers, they
operate very differently.
What is Original Medicare?
Before comparing Advantage and Supplement plans, it's helpful to un-
derstand what Original Medicare includes:
• Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital care, skilled
nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services.
• Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, Michele Denya Scott Thomas
preventive services, and some home health care.
Original Medicare covers a lot, but not everything. That’s where Medi-
care Advantage and Medigap plans come in—but you can only choose
one or the other, not both.
What Are Medicare Advantage Plans?
Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans are private insurance alternatives to
Original Medicare. These plans are offered by Medicare-approved pri-
vate companies and replace your Original Medicare coverage.
Key Features:
• All-in-one coverage: Often includes Parts A, B, and usually Part D
(prescription drug coverage). Cristina Casella Christin Crowder
• Extra benefits: May include dental, vision, hearing, and fitness
programs not covered by Original Medicare. OUR TEAM IS ALWAYS
• Cost structure: Lower monthly premiums (sometimes $0), but you
pay co-pays or coinsurance when you receive services. READY TO ASSIST YOU!
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do
offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options
MedicareCT.com is NOT ENDORSED BY or AFFILIATED WITH Medicare or any government program.
24 North Haven Magazine - Summer 2025
