Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage (Part C) cover hospitalization, medical appointments, and other healthcare costs. Original Medicare is government-run, while Medicare Advantage is managed and sold by private insurance companies.
Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) are two insurance options for people 65 and older living in the United States. Your medical needs, budget, and other personal lifestyle factors can all affect which coverage option is better for you.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage and how to decide which one is better for your medical needs.
Original Medicare is a government-funded medical insurance option for people 65 and older. Many older Americans use Medicare as their primary insurance since it covers:
- Inpatient hospital services (Medicare Part A). These benefits include coverage for hospital visits, hospice care, and limited skilled nursing facility care and at-home healthcare.
- Outpatient medical services (Medicare Part B). These benefits include coverage for preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services for health conditions.
Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover prescription drugs, dental, vision or hearing services, or additional healthcare needs.
However, for people who have enrolled in original Medicare, add-ons such as Medicare Part D can provide prescription drug coverage, and Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans can help manage the cost of Original Medicare.
Original Medicare costs
Although the government provides Original Medicare coverage, it is not free. You’ll have certain set costs associated with your coverage under parts A and B.
Here are some of the costs associated with original Medicare in 2024:
| Cost | Original Medicare amount |
|---|---|
| Part A monthly premium | $0, $278, or $505 (depending on how long you’ve worked) |
| Part A deductible | $1,632 each benefit period |
| Part A coinsurance | $0, $408, or $816+ per day (depending on the length of your stay) |
| Part B monthly premium | $174.70 or more (depending on your income level) |
| Part B deductible | $240 per year |
| Part B coinsurance | 20% of all approved medical services after the deductible is met |
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an insurance option for people already enrolled in Medicare Part A and B.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered through private insurance companies, and many plans cover hospital, medical insurance, and additional services such as:
- prescription drugs
- dental
- vision
- hearing
- fitness services, plus other health perks
Medicare Advantage replaces original Medicare add-ons, such as Part D and Medigap.
Instead of having multiple insurance plans to cover medical costs, a Medicare Advantage plan offers all your coverage in one place.
Medicare Advantage costs
For some people, Medicare Advantage plans can help save money on long-term medical costs, while others prefer to pay for only what they need with Medicare add-ons.
Below, you’ll find an estimated cost comparison for some of the fees associated with Medicare Advantage in 2024:
| Cost | Medicare Advantage amount |
|---|---|
| Part B monthly premium | $174.70 |
| Medicare Advantage plan monthly premium | varies (can start at $0) |
| Medicare Advantage plan deductible | varies (can start at $0) |
| Medicare Advantage plan drug deductible | varies (can start at $0) |
| Medicare Advantage plan coinsurance /copayments | varies (generally, $0–$45+ per visit) |
| maximum out-of-pocket yearly cost | $1000– $10,000+ |
Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage differ in coverage, costs, and benefits. When comparing your options, there’s no “one plan fits all.”
Medical services
If you’re someone who rarely visits the doctor, Medicare and Medicare add-ons may cover most of your needs.
However, if you’re someone who wants coverage for yearly dental, vision, or hearing exams, many Medicare Advantage plans offer this type of coverage.
Health conditions
If you have a chronic health condition, such as cancer, chronic heart failure, stroke, dementia, or others, it’ll affect your medical coverage.
For example, Medicare may not cover all your needs, but a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) could help with long-term costs.
These plans are designed for people with one of several chronic health conditions. They offer:
- coverage for specialists and case managers
- access to medications specifically for your condition
- access to other benefits
Medications
Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover prescription drug costs. To receive coverage for prescription drugs, you need a Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage.
No matter what option you choose, you’re required to have some form of prescription drug coverage within 63 days of enrolling in Medicare, or you’ll be required to pay a permanent late enrollment penalty.
Budget
If you have Medicare, you’ll pay a monthly premium for Part A (if you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A) and Part B, yearly deductibles for Parts A and B, and other costs if you buy add-on coverage.
If you have Medicare Advantage, you may need to pay additional costs, depending on the plan you choose. Before deciding on the type of Medicare plan you want, consider what out-of-pocket costs you can afford each year.
Provider preference
While Medicare offers the freedom to choose any provider within the Medicare network, most Medicare Advantage plans don’t provide as much freedom.
Depending on your Medicare Advantage plan, you may face additional costs for out-of-network services, specialist referrals, and visits.
Travel frequency
For some people, travel is a way of life. This is especially true for people who retire and choose to travel or live someplace warmer during the colder months.
If you travel frequently, consider what out-of-state medical needs you may have. In most cases, Medicare coverage is nationwide, while Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay in your local area for medical services.
When to enroll
Enrolling in Medicare is a time-sensitive process that you should begin roughly 3 months before your 65th birthday to ensure that you don’t have a gap in coverage.
If you receive social security benefits, you’re automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B.
You can also apply for Medicare 3 months before your 65th birthday and up to 3 months after. If you decide to wait to enroll until after that period, you may face late enrollment penalties.
How to enroll
When you apply for Medicare, you’ll need to have some important personal information handy.
This includes your place and date of birth, Medicaid number, and current health insurance information. Once you have this information, you can apply on the Social Security Administration website.
You cannot enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan until you have been enrolled in Medicare Part A and B.
Use the Medicare plan finder tool to find a list of Medicare Advantage plans or Part D plans near you.
Which health insurance plan covers all your medical needs depends entirely on your situation.
Both original Medicare with add-ons and Medicare Advantage offer coverage, costs, and benefits to fit your needs.
When comparing which option is better for you, be sure to consider:
- your medical situation
- monthly and yearly budget
- preference for providers
- other lifestyle factors that can impact your care and costs
You don’t have to wait until you apply for Medicare to begin shopping around for plans in your area. Get a head start on choosing the best health insurance plan right now.