How To Decide Between Medigap And Medicare Advantage? 
A clear understanding of the benefits of each is required to make an intelligent decision . Medicare Advantage plans REPLACE Medicare as your primary insurance . Those plans which are HMO 's require you to pay higher co-pays and deductibles if you use physicians and hospitals which are n't within the insurers network . Benefits under Medicare Advantage plans are usually changed from one year to the next , premiums as well . But each year you can review the various plans in your area and choose the one which seems best for that year . Medicare Supplement policies are designed to pay some or all of the deductibles and co-payments required if you select Medicare as your primary insurance . If Medicare is your primary insurance , you can use any physician who or hospital which accepts Medicare . Medicare Advantage plans do provide additional , usually low cost services . . eye refractions , some dental or hearing aid benefits , and etc. . But Medicare Advantage plans have higher out-of-pocket maximum costs than Medicare/Medigap plans . 