09/29/2026
Another informative article about Medicare vs Medicare Advantage plans. Please read
🩺 Ask a room of retirees about Medicare Advantage and you'll hear some version of the same complaints.
My doctor wasn't in the network. I had to wait for approval. It didn't cover much when I was away from home. I can't get back to Medigap.
Those complaints are real, and they come from how the plans work. Many plans only cover non-emergency care from their own network, and many require approval before some services.
The one that's hardest to fix is the last one. After your first year in Medicare Advantage, Medigap insurers in most states can ask about your health and charge more or say no.
And yet millions still choose it, often for one reason: the monthly bill. Some plans charge nothing beyond the Part B premium and include drug coverage, and every plan caps what a bad year can cost.
That's a fair reason to pick it. The goal is to pick it knowing the trade.
Open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Before you switch in either direction, check every doctor and prescription by name in Medicare's Plan Finder, and ask your state's free SHIP counselors what extra Medigap rights your state offers.
P.S. Once a week, I email the best money article I read, with my take on this week's top Facebook posts and what's new on the Ways to Wealth blog. It's free, and you can sign up on the Ways to Wealth home page.
R.J. Weiss, CFP®
The content shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not personalized investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on your specific situation.
