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How To Choose Between Original Medicare Vs. Medicare Advantage
What Is The Difference Between Original Medicare And Medicare Advantage?
Should you go with Original Medicare Parts A and B? Or should you apply for a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Medicare Part C? Your personal budget and your coverage needs are all factors. It's important to know the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage when you compare plans to see what works best for you.
Medicare Advantage Vs. Traditional Medicare
Traditional Medicare (also called Original Medicare) includes Medicare Part A and Part B, which give you inpatient and outpatient coverage. The difference with Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) is that they include Part A and Part B coverage, plus much more.
Medicare Part A covers things like:
- Hospital stays (semi-private rooms) up to 60 days
- Hospital meals
- Nursing services
- Intensive care services
- Drugs, medical supplies and equipment used on the premises
- Lab tests and X-rays taken while hospitalized
- Surgery and recovery costs
- Rehabilitation and therapy services
- Part-time home nursing care
Medicare Part B covers things like:
- Doctor visits
- Vaccinations and flu shots
- Health screenings and medical tests
- Medical supplies
- Ambulance services
- Smoking cessation and other preventive healthcare programs
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) includes:
- Everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B cover
- Most Medicare Advantage plans also include additional coverage for dental, hearing, vision, prescription drugs, and more
Do Medicare Advantage Plans Replace Original Medicare?
Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare Part A and Part B plus may provide additional coverage depending on where you live and the plan you choose.
When looking at the differences between Medicare and Medicare Advantage, keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans are offered through private insurers like Anthem. They include everything that Part A and Part B cover, plus lots of other benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Think of a Medicare Advantage plan as comprehensive coverage for your healthcare needs.
Some of the benefits most Medicare Advantage plans have that Original Medicare does not have include:
Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MAPD) plans are Part C plans combined with Part D prescription drug plans. While Medicare Part D provides only prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage plans can be combined to cover that and more.
Dental Care
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage for things like routine checkups and exams, cleanings, dentures, and coverage for unplanned dental procedures like root canals and crowns.
Vision Care
Eye health becomes more important as we age. Eye exams, glasses, and contacts are a part of many Medicare Advantage plans.
Hearing Care
Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, which can be expensive. Many Medicare Advantage plans provide hearing coverage that includes testing and medically required hearing aids.
Over-the-counter health items
Many Medicare Advantage plans have allowances for common over-the-counter health items like aspirin, band-aids, and more.
Fitness Programs
Medicare Advantage plans give you options for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Many plans include access to senior fitness programs like SilverSneakers® and coaching to improve overall well-being.
What Is The Cost Difference Between Original Medicare And Medicare Advantage?
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Original Medicare Costs |
Medicare Advantage Costs |
|---|---|
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Part A monthly premium is most likely free if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes. There are also benefit period deductibles and potential copays for hospital stays. |
Plans have $0 or low monthly premiums. Many cover your Part A deductibles and copays as well. |
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Part B has a monthly premium, an annual deductible, and coinsurance for doctor visits. |
Medicare Advantage plan costs vary depending on where you live. You still have to pay your Part A and Part B monthly premiums, but most plans cover deductibles and coinsurance. |
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There is no annual out-of-pocket maximum with Original Medicare. |
Medicare Advantage plans cap your annual maximum out-of-pocket costs. |
Original Medicare Costs |
|---|
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Part A monthly premium is most likely free if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes. There are also benefit period deductibles and potential copays for hospital stays. |
|
Part B has a monthly premium, an annual deductible, and coinsurance for doctor visits. |
|
There is no annual out-of-pocket maximum with Original Medicare. |
Medicare Advantage Costs |
|---|
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Plans have $0 or low monthly premiums. Many cover your Part A deductibles and copays as well. |
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Medicare Advantage plan costs vary depending on where you live. You still have to pay your Part A and Part B monthly premiums, but most plans cover deductibles and coinsurance. |
|
Medicare Advantage plans cap your annual maximum out-of-pocket costs. |
Why Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?
As you get older, healthcare protection becomes more important than ever. More coverage can offer more peace of mind, so you don't get surprise medical bills in the event of a sudden injury or illness.
Medicare Advantage plans can also offer more benefits than Original Medicare. Most plans include dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, and more.
Because private insurers like Anthem offer Medicare Advantage plans, you also have more flexibility with your plan selection. You can select coverage to fit your healthcare needs and budget.
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Read Our Other Medicare Articles
Medicare Part D Costs
Medicare Part C Costs
Medicare Advantage Plan Options
Medicare Part D Plans
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Essential Extras
The SilverSneakers fitness program is provided by Tivity Health, an independent company. Please talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. SilverSneakers, the SilverSneakers shoe logo type and SilverSneakers Flex are registered trademarks of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2025 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Anthem Blue Cross, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare Contract, offers HMO, HMO D-SNP, HMO C-SNP, and HMO I-SNP plans. Anthem Blue Cross Partnership Plan, a Medicare Advantage Organization with a Medicare Contract, offers HMO and HMO-CSNP plans. Anthem Life and Health Insurance Company, a Medicare Advantage Organization with a Medicare Contract, offers LPPO, LPPO D-SNP, and LPPO C-SNP plans. Anthem Blue Cross HMO D-SNP plans and Anthem Life and Health Insurance Company LPPO D-SNP plans additionally contract with state Medicaid programs. Anthem BC Health Insurance Company, a Medicare Advantage Organization with a Medicare Contract, offers LPPO plans. Enrollment in an Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Partnership Plan, Anthem BC Health Insurance Company and Anthem Life and Health Insurance Company plans depend on contract renewal.