Medicare Advantage Vs. Medicare Supplement

Both of Wellmark's Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement plans provide you with robust coverage you can trust, from a local company. When choosing the right coverage option for your needs, consider these key differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement.

Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement

Understanding the differences: Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare supplement

Medicare Advantage	Medicare Supplement
Might be a good fit for you if: You prefer the convenience of an all-in-one plan. You prefer to save money on your monthly premium in exchange for higher out-of-pocket costs as they come up. You’re willing to see a provider in your plan's network. You plan to receive most of your health care while at home, or you’re willing to have network restrictions when receiving care while traveling. Benefits of Medicare Advantage	Might be a good fit for you if: You prefer to choose all your plans separately to get the exact level of coverage you need. You prefer to pay more up-front, in exchange for low or no out-of-pocket costs later on. You would like to see any doctor who accepts Medicare. You travel for part of the year and want unrestricted network access. Benefits of Medicare Supplement
Costs: Pay a lower monthly premium in exchange for higher out-of-pocket costs. One bill and ID card for all your Medicare benefits. Little or no monthly premium for your policy. Will have a deductible, copays, and coinsurance costs.	Costs: Pay a higher monthly premium in exchange for lower out-of-pocket costs. Multiple bills and ID cards from separate Medicare policies. Will have a monthly premium for your policy. Will cover all or most deductibles, copays, and coinsurance left over from Original Medicare depending on which Medicare supplement plan you choose.
Find a doctor: Choose a doctor who participates in your plan's network or, in some cases, pay extra to see an out-of-network doctor.	Find a doctor: See any doctor nationally who accepts Medicare, plus emergency care worldwide.
Prescription drug coverage: Included	Prescription drug coverage: Not included; would need to purchase a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) separately
Dental, vision, hearing coverage: Included	Dental, vision, hearing coverage: Not included; would need to be purchased separately
Learn more — Medicare Advantage	Learn more — Medicare Supplement

Medicare Advantage
Might be a good fit for you if: You prefer the convenience of an all-in-one plan. You prefer to save money on your monthly premium in exchange for higher out-of-pocket costs as they come up. You’re willing to see a provider in your plan's network. You plan to receive most of your health care while at home, or you’re willing to have network restrictions when receiving care while traveling. Benefits of Medicare Advantage
Costs: Pay a lower monthly premium in exchange for higher out-of-pocket costs. One bill and ID card for all your Medicare benefits. Little or no monthly premium for your policy. Will have a deductible, copays, and coinsurance costs.
Find a doctor: Choose a doctor who participates in your plan's network or, in some cases, pay extra to see an out-of-network doctor.
Prescription drug coverage: Included
Dental, vision, hearing coverage: Included
Learn more — Medicare Advantage

Medicare Supplement
Might be a good fit for you if: You prefer to choose all your plans separately to get the exact level of coverage you need. You prefer to pay more up-front, in exchange for low or no out-of-pocket costs later on. You would like to see any doctor who accepts Medicare. You travel for part of the year and want unrestricted network access. Benefits of Medicare Supplement
Costs: Pay a higher monthly premium in exchange for lower out-of-pocket costs. Multiple bills and ID cards from separate Medicare policies. Will have a monthly premium for your policy. Will cover all or most deductibles, copays, and coinsurance left over from Original Medicare depending on which Medicare supplement plan you choose.
Find a doctor: See any doctor nationally who accepts Medicare, plus emergency care worldwide.
Prescription drug coverage: Not included; would need to purchase a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) separately
Dental, vision, hearing coverage: Not included; would need to be purchased separately
Learn more — Medicare Supplement