Any advantage to Medicare Advantage plans over Medicare?

I use the AARP Plan F supplement and straight Medicare. It has been fine. I have not paid anything out-of-pocket except $10 co-pay for some post-surgery drugs and $25 at the opthamologist’s (and I have run up some whopping bills during the past few years.) At the moment I take no Rx drugs so I don’t pay much attention to the Medicare D portion, for drugs.

Thanks Gail. My doctor was saying it is really good. Can’t wait since I have very high deductibles on the plan I’m on now.

My more analytical Wellesley classmates and those with MD. husbands did the research for the supplemental policies. The AARP F was the winner. The monthly fees are competitive.

Cool.

Ditto for me. AARP F is what I’ve had for a year now. Haven’t needed it for anything major yet, fortunately, but I think it’s the best bang for the buck.

What exactly is Medicare Advantage? Is it a brand of Mecicare supplemental insurance or something else?

It’s private insurance that is then reimbursed by Medicare is my understanding. I’m not sure why it exists. The other thing – Medicare Supplement – pays for things that Medicare doesn’t/

@Buttonstc as @janbb stated, Medicare Advantage is blanket term to describe any PPO or HMO that serves as a substitute for Medicare. Original Medicare payments are processed through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), but Medicare Advantage is procesed by the commercial insurance companies and HMO and PPO corporations who offer the programs. They do receive compensation from the federal government.

Thanks for clarifying.