When you enroll in Medicare, Original Medicare Parts A and B cover a lot — but not everything. You will face deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket costs that can add up quickly. The solution is to pair Original Medicare with a supplemental plan.
There are two main options: Medicare Advantage (Part C) or a Medigap Supplement plan. They both fill gaps in Original Medicare, but they work in completely different ways, cost different amounts, and suit different types of people. This guide breaks it all down so you can make the right choice for your situation.
| Compare Medicare Advantage and Medigap Plans in Your Area — Free → medicareselfenroll.com |
What Is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage (also called Part C) is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. Instead of receiving your benefits through the federal government, you enroll in a plan offered by a private insurance company approved by Medicare.
A Medicare Advantage plan must cover everything Original Medicare covers — but it often includes extra benefits such as:
- Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
- Prescription drug coverage (Part D) built in
- Free monthly OTC supplement allowance ($25–$150/month)
- Gym memberships and wellness programs
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Meal delivery after hospital stays
| Key fact for New York seniors In New York for 2026, there are 218 Medicare Advantage plans available. All NY residents with Medicare have access to at least one $0 premium plan. The OTC supplement allowance alone can be worth up to $1,800/year. |
What Is Medigap (Medicare Supplement)?
A Medigap plan — also called a Medicare Supplement plan — works alongside Original Medicare rather than replacing it. When you use a healthcare service, Original Medicare pays its share first, and your Medigap plan pays some or all of the remaining costs.
Medigap plans are standardized by letter — Plan G, Plan N, Plan A, etc. Every insurer selling Plan G must offer the same core benefits. The main difference between insurers is price and customer service.
Medigap plans typically cover:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice care coinsurance
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance (Plans C, D, F, G, M, N)
- Part A and Part B deductibles (varies by plan letter)
- Foreign travel emergency coverage (Plans C, D, F, G, M, N)
| New York advantage New York is one of only a handful of states that allows year-round Medigap enrollment with guaranteed issue. Insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more based on your health status — ever. This makes NY one of the best states in the country for Medigap. |
Medicare Advantage vs Medigap: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Medicare Advantage | Medigap |
| Monthly premium | Often $0–$50/month | $100–$300+/month |
| Network restrictions | YES — must use in-network providers (HMO) or pay more (PPO) | NO — see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Copays for most services; annual out-of-pocket maximum applies | Very low — Medigap covers most gaps in Original Medicare |
| Drug coverage (Part D) | Usually included in the plan | Must buy a separate Part D plan |
| Dental & vision | Included in many plans | NOT included — need separate coverage |
| Free OTC supplements | YES — $25–$150/month on many plans | NO |
| Referrals needed | Sometimes (HMO plans require referrals to see specialists) | Never — see any specialist directly |
| Travel coverage | Limited — emergency only outside service area | YES — most plans cover emergency care outside the US |
| Enrollment flexibility | Must enroll during specific periods | In New York: year-round with guaranteed issue |
| Best for | Seniors wanting low premiums + extra benefits | Seniors wanting predictable costs + freedom to choose any doctor |
When Medicare Advantage Is the Better Choice
Medicare Advantage tends to be the better fit if:
- You want a $0 or very low monthly premium and are comfortable with network restrictions
- You want extra benefits bundled in — dental, vision, hearing, gym membership
- You want a free monthly OTC card to buy vitamins and supplements at no cost
- You have a limited income and want to minimize monthly insurance costs
- You are generally healthy and do not expect high medical utilization
- You prefer having one plan that covers everything including drugs
| The OTC advantage If saving money on vitamins and supplements matters to you, Medicare Advantage is the clear winner. Many plans give you $300–$1,800 per year in free health products through the OTC benefit card. Medigap offers no such benefit. |
When Medigap Is the Better Choice
Medigap tends to be the better fit if:
- You travel frequently — domestic or international — and want coverage anywhere
- You have existing relationships with specific doctors or specialists and want to keep seeing them
- You have a chronic condition or expect high medical utilization and want predictable costs
- You are willing to pay a higher monthly premium in exchange for fewer surprise bills
- You value simplicity — show your Medicare card and Medigap card anywhere, no network to worry about
- You live in New York, where year-round guaranteed issue makes Medigap uniquely accessible
| The New York Medigap advantage In most states, Medigap plans require medical underwriting after your initial enrollment period — meaning you can be denied or charged more based on your health. New York is different. NY law requires guaranteed issue year-round with community rating. This is a significant advantage for NY seniors compared to the rest of the country. |
Cost Comparison: What You Actually Pay
Medicare Advantage — what you pay
Most Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 monthly premium. However, you still pay:
- Your Medicare Part B premium (same as Original Medicare)
- Copays when you visit doctors or specialists ($5–$50 per visit typically)
- Copays for hospital stays and procedures
- An annual out-of-pocket maximum (typically $3,000–$8,500 in 2026)
The out-of-pocket maximum is the most important number. Once you hit it, the plan pays 100% for the rest of the year.
Medigap — what you pay
Medigap plans have a higher monthly premium but much lower per-use costs:
- Monthly Medigap premium: $100–$300+ depending on plan type and your location
- Your Medicare Part B premium (same as above)
- Part D drug plan premium if you need drug coverage (separate plan, $10–$60/month)
- With Plan G or Plan N: very few additional out-of-pocket costs after your Part B deductible
| Which is cheaper overall? It depends entirely on how much healthcare you use. If you are healthy and rarely see doctors, Medicare Advantage wins on cost. If you have chronic conditions and frequent medical visits, Medigap often ends up cheaper despite the higher premium — because you avoid large copays adding up. |
Most Popular Medigap Plans in 2026
Plan G — most popular for new enrollees
Plan G covers almost everything except the Medicare Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). After paying your deductible once per year, Plan G covers all remaining Medicare-approved costs. It is the most comprehensive plan available to new enrollees.
Plan N — lower premium with small copays
Plan N has a lower monthly premium than Plan G but requires small copays ($20 for office visits, $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in admission). Good for seniors who are generally healthy but want protection against large bills.
Plan A — basic coverage, lowest premium
Plan A covers only the core benefits — Part A coinsurance, hospice care, and Part B coinsurance. It offers the least coverage but the lowest premium.
Can You Switch Between Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
Yes — but the timing and rules matter.
Switching from Medigap to Medicare Advantage is generally straightforward during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7).
Switching from Medicare Advantage back to Medigap is more complex. In most states, insurers can deny your Medigap application based on health conditions if you are outside your guaranteed issue period. In New York, this restriction does not apply — you can switch back to Medigap any time with guaranteed acceptance.
| New York seniors: you have more flexibility Because New York requires year-round guaranteed issue for Medigap, you have far more flexibility to switch between plan types than seniors in other states. You can try Medicare Advantage and switch to Medigap later without fear of being denied. Take advantage of this. |
Which Plan Is Right for You? A Quick Decision Guide
| If this describes you… | Consider this plan |
| I want the lowest possible monthly premium | Medicare Advantage ($0 plans available) |
| I want free monthly vitamins and supplements | Medicare Advantage (OTC benefit included) |
| I want to see any doctor in the country | Medigap (no network restrictions) |
| I travel a lot inside and outside the US | Medigap (foreign travel emergency coverage) |
| I have a chronic condition and see specialists often | Medigap (predictable costs, no copays) |
| I want dental, vision, and hearing all in one plan | Medicare Advantage (bundled benefits) |
The Bottom Line
There is no single right answer — the best plan depends entirely on your health, your doctors, your medications, and your budget. Medicare Advantage wins on price and extra benefits. Medigap wins on freedom and predictability.
The good news is that comparing both types of plans in your area is completely free and takes about 5 minutes. Our licensed agents can show you exactly what is available in your ZIP code with no pressure and no obligation.
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