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