Medicare San Antonio TX: A Straight Answer on Your Options

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

These plans take the place of Original Medicare and roll your benefits into one package sold by a private carrier that Medicare has approved. A typical Advantage plan bundles in:

• Hospital and medical coverage
• Drug coverage in most cases
• A defined provider network
• Copays with an annual spending cap

A number of plans throw in dental, vision or hearing benefits too, but how generous those extras are depends entirely on the carrier and the plan you pick.

Advantage plans usually draw seniors who want a smaller monthly bill, benefits bundled together, predictable copays and coordinated care inside a network. The network is the part to watch. Carriers redraw their networks every year, so it pays to confirm your doctors are still in before you commit to anything.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

A Medigap policy rides alongside Original Medicare and picks up costs Medicare doesn't, such as deductibles and coinsurance. These policies come with nationwide provider access, steady medical bills, no referrals to see a specialist, and no network to worry about.

Medigap doesn't come with a drug benefit built in. You'll pair it with a standalone Part D plan to cover your prescriptions.

People who travel often, want to see any doctor without checking a network first, want fewer surprise bills, or visit the doctor frequently tend to gravitate toward Medigap.