Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: What’s the Difference?

Medigap is supplemental insurance you can purchase on top of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to fill gaps in your coverage. Medicare Advantage (also called Medicare Part C) is an all-in-one policy that bundles Medicare Part A, Part B and often Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, generally offers more flexibility and can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs. But Medicare Advantage plans usually come with lower premiums and extra perks like some dental and vision coverage.

You can't have both at the same time. So, should you choose Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

What is Medigap?

Medigap is insurance sold by private companies to fill "gaps" in Original Medicare. It covers some of your out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles and copays^[0]

There are 10 Medigap plan types with different levels of coverage and cost-sharing. These plans are standardized by the government. This means a Medigap Plan G policy from one insurance company offers the same benefits as a Medigap Plan G policy from another company^[0]

How Medigap works

Medigap covers some of the costs you’ll owe if you get care under Original Medicare. Different Medigap plan types cover different costs. Possible coverage includes^[0]

• Your deductible for an inpatient hospital stay: $1,736 in 2026.

• Your copayment for an inpatient hospital stay: $434 per day in 2026 for days 61 to 90.

• Your copayment for a skilled nursing facility stay: $217 per day in 2026 for days 21 to 100.

• Your 20% coinsurance for medical services covered under Medicare Part B.

If you have a Medigap plan that covers these costs, you won't pay anything out of pocket except your Medicare Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. And if you purchased Medigap Plan F or Plan C before Jan. 1, 2020, the Medicare Part B deductible will be covered. (Note: Medigap Plans F and C are available only to people who became eligible for Medicare before 2020.)

When to buy Medigap

You can buy Medigap during the Medigap open enrollment period. This is the six-month period that starts the month you're 65 or older and have Medicare Part B^[0]

After this period, you may have to go through medical underwriting to get a policy. This could result in a higher price or denial of coverage if you're in poor health. This is true unless you live in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine or New York. These states offer guaranteed issue protections.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Original Medicare. It includes the coverage of Medicare Part A and Part B, and usually Medicare Part D (prescription drugs). It often comes with extra benefits such as some dental, vision and hearing coverage. Medicare Advantage is sold by private insurers that have contracted with the federal government.

How Medicare Advantage works

Medicare Advantage works much like the health insurance you may have had through an employer. Plans operate within networks of doctors and hospitals. To receive the lowest-priced care, you must use in-network providers and facilities.

The average Medicare Advantage member has access to less than half (48%) of local doctors available to people with Original Medicare, according to health policy nonprofit KFF^[0]

If you can access out-of-network care, it’s usually more expensive. You may need a referral to see a specialist, and certain types of care require preauthorization.

You still have to pay your Part B premium — $202.90 per month in 2026 — along with a monthly Medicare Advantage premium. That said, many Medicare Advantage plans offer a $0 premium. The average Medicare Advantage premium is $14 per month in 2026.

When to buy Medicare Advantage

Medicare-eligible people can buy Medicare Advantage during their initial enrollment period. This is typically your 65th birthday month, plus the three months before and after. After that, you can change plans during two enrollment periods:

• Medicare open enrollment, which happens from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.

• Medicare Advantage open enrollment, which occurs from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. 

You may also be able to switch plans if you qualify for a special enrollment period. These are triggered by certain life changes, like a move out of your plan's service area or into a skilled nursing facility.

Is it better to have Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

When choosing between Medicare Advantage and Medigap, think about how you prefer to receive medical care and how often you think you'll need it.

Consider Original Medicare with a Medigap plan if you:

• Want to be able to see any doctor. Original Medicare with a Medigap plan gives you access to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.

• Intend to travel. Medicare Advantage plans come with limited service areas. If you travel outside yours, you may have to pay out of pocket for medical care. Signing up for Original Medicare with a Medigap plan lets you see any provider in the U.S. that takes Medicare.

• Have a chronic condition or receive frequent medical care. If you see a lot of doctors, you could end up spending a lot out of pocket with a Medicare Advantage plan. The out-of-pocket maximum for in-network care with Medicare Advantage can be as high as $9,250 in 2026. You might pay a higher monthly premium for Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage, but you're covered for many out-of-pocket costs. In fact, your Medicare Supplement premium may be your only cost if you enroll in certain Medigap plans.

• Like to play it safe. If you're diagnosed with a serious condition later in life, you may want to see the best specialists. You have more flexibility to do this with a Medigap plan than a Medicare Advantage plan, since you’re not limited to in-network providers.

Consider Medicare Advantage if you:

• Live in an area with an extensive network. Although Medicare Advantage plans generally require you to get care from their network of medical providers, that network may be sizable if you live in a large metro area. So it may be a good choice if you're happy with the medical providers and hospitals on your plan's network and intend to stay put.

• Can't afford Medigap. The downside of Medigap for many people is the monthly premium. You're more likely to find low- or no-premium plans with Medicare Advantage. If you can't afford to buy a Medigap plan, you're probably better off with Medicare Advantage than Original Medicare without Medigap.

• Prefer managed care plans. For some people, an insurance plan with a network feels comfortable and familiar. Medicare Advantage plans might look more like the insurance you've had your whole life.

» TAKE OUR QUIZ: Are Medicare Advantage plans worth it?