Medicare vs Medicare Advantage Calculator
Compare Original Medicare (Parts A+B) with Medicare Advantage plans. Factor in premiums, copays, drug coverage, and total annual costs.
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Medicare: Original vs Advantage
Original Medicare (Parts A+B) covers hospital and medical services with no provider network restrictions. However, it has no out-of-pocket maximum — meaning catastrophic care could cost you tens of thousands. Most beneficiaries add a Medigap (supplemental) policy ($100-$300/month) to cover the 20% coinsurance gap, plus a Part D plan for prescriptions.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) bundles everything into one plan from a private insurer, often with lower premiums and added benefits (dental, vision, hearing). The trade-off: you must use in-network providers, and coverage can vary significantly by plan. According to KFF, 54% of Medicare beneficiaries are now enrolled in Advantage plans (up from 33% a decade ago), attracted by the lower out-of-pocket costs and additional benefits.
Key Decision Factors
Choose Original Medicare + Medigap if: You want to see any doctor nationwide, travel frequently, have high medical needs (Medigap covers most gaps), or value predictable costs. Choose Medicare Advantage if: You want lower premiums, are comfortable with a provider network, want extra benefits (dental/vision), and your health needs are moderate. Always check that your doctors and hospitals are in the Advantage plan network before enrolling. Calculate your total healthcare budget using our Medical Bill Estimator.