Medicare Advantage offers low premiums but variable costs; Medigap offers predictable premiums and nationwide access. Enter your premiums and expected out-of-pocket spending to see which path costs less over a full year.
✏️ Compare Your Two Paths
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Original Medicare + Medigap
💰 Annual Cost Comparison
Medicare Advantage Total$6,000
Original + Medigap Total$3,660
Difference$2,340
Lower-Cost OptionMedigap
📊 Worked Examples
Scenario
MA Annual
Medigap Annual
Cheaper
Difference
Healthy senior, few claims
$6,000
$3,660
Medigap
$2,340
High-utilization, chronic conditions
$7,400
$3,400
Medigap
$4,000
Zero-premium MA plan user
$6,000
$3,660
Medigap
$2,340
Low-cost MA plan ($45/mo)
$5,040
$3,640
Medigap
$1,400
Cheap Medigap with high OOP
$3,000
$3,400
Advantage
$400
Medigap premiums rise with age and inflation, while Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket costs depend on how often you use care. The right choice often depends less on average cost and more on how much financial risk you can absorb in a bad year.
📖 Medicare Advantage vs Medigap: The Core Trade-off
Once you enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you choose how to cover the gaps. There are two fundamentally different structures, and they trade premium certainty against network flexibility.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Structure: a private plan that replaces Original Medicare and usually bundles Part D drug coverage
Premiums: often $0 beyond the Part B premium, but you pay copays and coinsurance as you use care
Out-of-pocket max: in-network annual limit of about $9,350 in 2025 (varies by plan); you can pay the full amount in a bad health year
Networks: HMOs and PPOs restrict which doctors and hospitals you can use; out-of-network care costs more or isn't covered
Extras: frequently includes dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits
Original Medicare + Medigap
Structure: Medigap (Supplement) sits on top of Original Medicare and pays most of the coinsurance, deductibles, and copays
Premiums: predictable monthly cost (commonly $120–$250 depending on age, state, and plan letter) with very little cost at the point of care
Networks: any provider that accepts Medicare, nationwide — no referrals in most cases
Drug coverage: separate Part D plan needed
Enrollment: guaranteed-issue only during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period; after that you can be underwritten in most states
The real decision
If you have ongoing health conditions or travel widely, Medigap's predictable costs and nationwide network often win. If you are healthy and want the lowest fixed premium, a $0-premium Advantage plan may cost less in a good year — but you bear the risk that a bad year pushes you toward the plan's out-of-pocket maximum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
No. You cannot use a Medigap policy to pay Medicare Advantage costs, and it is illegal for an insurer to sell you a Medigap policy if you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, except when you are switching back to Original Medicare.
Is Medicare Advantage really free?
Many plans charge $0 in addition to the Part B premium, but that does not make care free. You still pay copays and coinsurance for doctor visits, hospital stays, and other services, up to the plan's annual out-of-pocket maximum.
When can I buy a Medigap policy without health questions?
During your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. Outside that window, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge more.
Which option has a higher out-of-pocket maximum?
Medicare Advantage plans have an annual in-network out-of-pocket limit (about $9,350 in 2025), while Medigap Plan G and similar plans leave you responsible for almost nothing beyond the Part B deductible. That makes Medigap far more predictable in a catastrophic year.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap later?
Yes, but in most states you will face medical underwriting after your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Some states have guaranteed-issue protections, so check your state's rules before relying on a future switch.
⚠️ Important: This calculator compares expected annual costs you enter and is an educational tool, not insurance advice. Actual Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limits, Medigap premiums, and network rules vary widely by plan and state. Consult a licensed Medicare agent or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) before choosing.