Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage.

[mackdaddy]

74. Medicare 'Advantage' is a private insurance plan paid for with Medicare funds.

Advantage plans have all the same limitations you have in any private insurance plan. In/Out of network doctors and facilities, and the need for pre-approval for services, and many have area limitations, and you may not be covered if you are traveling out of state. They can decide also that they do not cover some work just like other private plans. You insurance agent does get a slice for selling you on these plans.

Medicare plus the medigap plan (plus a drug plan) pretty much covers you for everything with a small minimum one time charge, although there are some low cost medigap that have less coverage. But real Medicare covers you everywhere and it taken by almost every medical professional.

Advantage plans were started during the W. Bush admin as a first step to privatizing Medicare. And it is working because people do no know this.