Medicare Advantage vs Supplement 2027 Cost Calculator

Medicare Advantage (Part C) bundles A+B+D with low/no premium but capped networks. Original Medicare + Medigap (G or N) costs $150-$300+/month but offers nationwide provider freedom and predictable bills. This 2027 calculator compares total annual cost across the two paths.

How The Two Paths Work

Path A — Medicare Advantage (Part C): a private insurer bundles A + B + usually D into one plan. You still pay the Part B premium ($185/mo standard 2025), often $0 additional plan premium, with copays and deductibles for services. Network restrictions apply (HMO or PPO). Path B — Original Medicare + Medigap + standalone Part D: traditional Parts A & B (any Medicare-accepting provider), Medigap supplement fills the cost-sharing gaps ($130-$300/month), standalone Part D for prescriptions ($30-$80/month).

MA Wins When You're Healthy And Local

Medicare Advantage shines for healthy retirees who: use providers near home (don't snowbird), value bundled extras (dental, vision, hearing, gym), prefer one ID card, are comfortable with prior authorization for major services, and have low expected utilization. KFF 2024 shows MA enrollees with low utilization save $1,500-$3,000/year vs Original + Medigap. The trade-off: you accept network restrictions and the carrier's medical-management gatekeeping.

Medigap Wins When Health Or Travel Are Variables

Original + Medigap shines for: chronic conditions requiring specialists, planned surgeries, frequent travelers/snowbirds, anyone who wants to choose providers without prior auth, anyone uncomfortable with insurance company gatekeeping. The math: Plan G covers virtually all Part A/B cost-sharing — you pay only the Part B deductible (~$240/year 2027 est) and then $0 for the rest of the year on covered services. Predictable cost, no network surprises.

Switching Risks That Make The Choice Permanent

Many beneficiaries don't realize that the MA-vs-Medigap choice has switching risks. After your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment (starts when Part B becomes effective), Medigap insurers can medically underwrite you in most states — meaning pre-existing conditions can result in denial or higher premiums. Switching from MA back to Medigap at age 72 with new diabetes diagnosis = likely denial. Four states (NY, CT, MA, ME) require Medigap guaranteed-issue year-round; rest don't. If health is uncertain, lean toward Medigap during your initial open enrollment and stay there.

Last updated May 2026. Sources cited in tool output.