Both Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans and Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, and you must be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B to qualify for either.
However, you cannot have both types of coverage at the same time — you must choose either a Medigap plan or a

Medicare Advantage plan. If you enroll in Medicare Advantage, that plan becomes your primary insurance.

Medicare Advantage plans often feature $0 deductibles and low or no copayments for primary care visits and specialists. Many plans also include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and may even offer extra benefits like dental, vision, or hearing care. However, Medicare Advantage plans typically come with provider network restrictions, and seeing out-of-network doctors can result in higher out-of-pocket costs.

In contrast, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans provide more flexibility, allowing you to see any doctor or specialist that accepts Medicare nationwide. Medigap policies offer predictable monthly premiums but can sometimes be more expensive overall. Plans like Medigap K and Medigap L also include annual out-of-pocket spending limits for added protection. Most Medigap plans do not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing services, although a few offer limited benefits. To cover prescription medications, you’ll need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan.

Finally, Medicare Supplement plans are individual policies, meaning you and your spouse must each have your own separate coverage based on your healthcare needs.