Medicare Part D Table

Feature	Medicare Supplement	Medicare Advantage Plans
How It Works	Helps pay out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A & B).	Offers an alternative to Original Medicare, combining Parts A & B, often with extra benefits.
Drug Coverage	Not included. You’ll need to buy a separate Part D drug plan.	Usually included. Most plans bundle Part D prescription drug coverage.
Doctors & Hospitals	Use any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare. No networks.	Typically uses provider networks (HMO or PPO). May need referrals or stay in-network for lower costs.
Costs	Monthly premium + Original Medicare premium. Helps reduce cost-sharing.	May have low or $0 premiums, but includes copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums.
Extra Benefits	Does not include dental, vision, or hearing.	Often includes dental, vision, hearing, fitness, and wellness programs.
Coverage Type	Works with Original Medicare	Replaces Original Medicare. Private insurer manages your benefits.
Enrollment	Best time: 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment after enrolling in Part B. Some states allow enrollment under 65.	Initial, Annual, and Special Enrollment Periods apply. You must have Parts A & B to join.
Can You Have Both?	No. You cannot use a Medigap plan with a Medicare Advantage plan.	No. You must choose one or the other—not both at the same time.

Feature

Medicare Supplement

Medicare Advantage Plans

How It Works

Helps pay out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A & B).

Offers an alternative to Original Medicare, combining Parts A & B, often with extra benefits.

Drug Coverage

Not included. You’ll need to buy a separate Part D drug plan.

Usually included. Most plans bundle Part D prescription drug coverage.

Doctors & Hospitals

Use any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare. No networks.

Typically uses provider networks (HMO or PPO). May need referrals or stay in-network for lower costs.

Costs

Monthly premium + Original Medicare premium. Helps reduce cost-sharing.

May have low or $0 premiums, but includes copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums.

Extra Benefits

Does not include dental, vision, or hearing.

Often includes dental, vision, hearing, fitness, and wellness programs.

Coverage Type

Works with Original Medicare

Replaces Original Medicare. Private insurer manages your benefits.

Enrollment

Best time: 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment after enrolling in Part B. Some states allow enrollment under 65.

Initial, Annual, and Special Enrollment Periods apply. You must have Parts A & B to join.

Can You Have Both?

No. You cannot use a Medigap plan with a Medicare Advantage plan.

No. You must choose one or the other—not both at the same time.

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