If you’re looking for more coverage than what Original Medicare provides, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans are popular ways to get that extra coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans are newer, but they’re increasingly popular. In 2022 more than 40% of Americans on Medicare are enrolled in an Advantage plan – that’s more than 26 million people.

Medicare Supplement plans provide coverage in a different way that could be a good fit for your needs. In 2019, these plans had more than 14 million enrollees – about 24% of people on Medicare at that time.

Take this quick quiz to see which option could be the right fit for you.


1. Do you want a plan that protects how much you pay each year?

2. Are you OK getting health care services from a select group of doctors, clinics and hospitals?

3. Would you like all your Medicare benefits in one plan?

4. Do you want one ID card and less paperwork?

5. Is having the flexibility to change or modify your health plan every year important to you?

6. Do you want your health plan to include extra benefits like coverage for routine eye and ear exams, hearing aids, gym membership, dental, or acupuncture?

A Medicare Supplement plan may be a good option if you like these key features:

  • Pay more upfront in your monthly premium so you can pay less each time you actually need care. There usually is not a limit on how much you pay out of pocket each year for covered services.
  • Generally you can see any providers that accept Medicare, anywhere within the United States.
  • You are okay having separate ID cards and customer service for your medical and your prescription drug coverage. You may have some claims paperwork. Medicare Supplement doesn’t cover Part D prescription medicine, so you may have to buy coverage separately.
  • You don’t expect to change plans year-to-year. You may have to provide a health history if you leave and want to come back to a Medicare Supplement plan.
  • Your plan may include extra benefits like a gym membership and worldwide emergency care.

Want to learn more about Medicare Supplement Plans?

Read our post

What are my other options?

A Medicare Advantage plan may be a good option if you like these key features:

  • Pay a lower or $0 monthly premium. You’re protected with an out-of-pocket limit on how much you pay each year.
  • You’re willing to get your health care from a network of certain doctors, clinics and hospitals.
  • Combine your doctor, hospital and often prescription drug coverage in one plan. That means one ID card and one service team for your questions.
  • Your Medicare Advantage plan manages your Part A & B benefits, along with Part D prescription medicine coverage if it’s included. Less paperwork for you.
  • You can change Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment and don’t need to provide your health history.
  • Your plan may include extra perks, like coverage for routine eye and ear exams, hearing aids, dental, acupuncture, a gym membership, and worldwide emergency care.

Want to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans?

Read our post "What is a Medicare Advantage plan?"

A Medicare Advantage plan may be a good option if you like these key features:

  • Pay a lower or $0 monthly premium. You’re protected with an out-of-pocket limit on how much you pay each year.
  • You’re willing to get your health care from a network of certain doctors, clinics and hospitals.
  • Combine your doctor, hospital and often prescription drug coverage in one plan. That means one ID card and one service team for your questions.
  • Your Medicare Advantage plan manages your Part A & B benefits, along with Part D prescription medicine coverage if it’s included. Less paperwork for you.
  • You can change Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment and don’t need to provide your health history.
  • Your plan may include extra perks, like coverage for routine eye and ear exams, hearing aids, dental, acupuncture, a gym membership, and worldwide emergency care.

Want to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans?

Read our post

What are my other options?

A Medicare Supplement plan may be a good option if you like these key features:

  • Pay more upfront in your monthly premium so you can pay less each time you actually need care. There usually is not a limit on how much you pay out of pocket each year for covered services.
  • Generally you can see any providers that accept Medicare, anywhere within the United States.
  • You are okay having separate ID cards and customer service for your medical and your prescription drug coverage. You may have some claims paperwork. Medicare Supplement doesn’t cover Part D prescription medicine, so you may have to buy coverage separately.
  • You get to keep your Original Medicare coverage. Medicare Supplement plans help fill in some of the costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.
  • You don’t expect to change plans year-to-year. You may have to provide a health history if you leave and want to come back to a Medicare Supplement plan.
  • Your plan may include extra benefits like a gym membership and worldwide emergency care.

Want to learn more about Medicare Supplement Plans?

Read our post  "Would Medicare Supplement insurance fit my needs?"