To Good Health: Supplements vs. Advantage Plans

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Confused on which Medicare plan suits your health-care needs? Below is a quick reference to help you understand the differences in Medicare Supplements and Advantage plans.

Eligibility

Medicare Supplements: Must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. Cannot be declined coverage during Open Enrollment and Guaranteed Issue periods.
Medicare Advantage: Must have Medicare Parts A and B and live in the service area of your plan.

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Costs

Medicare Supplements: Premium varies with age. Generally, no copay costs at the time of service. No out-of-pocket maximum.
Medicare Advantage: Premiums vary. Copays must be paid for medical services. Many plans have an out-of-pocket annual maximum.

Providers

Medicare Supplements: No networks. No referrals required for specialist visits.
Medicare Advantage: Has a network much like HMOs or PPOs. In many cases, a referral is required for specialist visits.

Prescriptions

Medicare Supplements: Part D plans are not sold with Supplement plans. But Part D plans are available if prescription coverage is needed.
Medicare Advantage: Most plans are packaged with a drug plan and a network.

Regulations

Medicare Supplements: Plans are standardized – price and customer experience is the differentiator. Supplements are regulated by federal and state law.
Medicare Advantage: Plans are not standardized. Plans are regulated by Medicare/CMS.

Since 1947, TRH Health Plans has helped more than 60,000 fellow Tennesseans know the differences between Supplements and Advantage plans. We can do the same for you and your friends. Just visit a TRH Representative in your local Farm Bureau office; call us at (877) 874-8323 or visit us online at trh.com/medicare-supplements.

3 Comments

  1. Paul says:

    I currently have TRH supplement plan. Can I also get TRH drug plan? What is the cheapest plan cost? I current take no drugs.

    • Rachel Bertone says:

      Hi Paul,

      Please contact a TRH representative directly at your local Farm Bureau office or call them at (877) 874-8323. Hope this helps!

      Rachel Bertone
      editor, TN Home and Farm

  2. Karen Krusa says:

    I am a 69 year old female in TN. I now have TRH Medigap insurance Plan F with Farm Bureau. I have been told over the phone by a Medicare advisor that I am paying too much for my Plan F Medigap insurance. Farm Bureau charges me a little over $150.00 each month for my Plan F supplement insurance. I was told by this Medicare advisor that I should be charged about $120.00 each month for plan F, and Aetna insurance has a plan F supplement insurance for $120.00 each month. That’s a savings of over $300 a year. Aren’t all Plan F insurance supplements the same and cover basically everything Medicare does not?

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