@winterfelllvoyager75 To clarify. The Medigap is a Supplement Plan. It is a supplement to Original Medicare.
This is an AI explanation: "Yes, Medigap is also called a Medicare Supplement plan. The terms are used interchangeably to describe private insurance plans that help pay for costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance."
I have a Medigap Plan, the Supplement to Original Medicare. The Original Medicare Gov't Plan has the responsibility of covering the A and B benefits. When you have Medigap/Supplement Plan you may, and often do, need to sign up for a separate drug plan, Plan D.
When a person signs up to have the Advantage Plans it replaces the A and B plan benefits of the Original Medicare Gov't Plan and you have greater deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Part A and Part B coverage is now provided through a private insurance company. The Advantage Plan, (the insurance carrier) takes on the responsibility of covering the A and B benefits rather than Original Medicare Gov't Plan.
You are right about a Medigap/Supplement Plan being better in the long run, and short run in many instances when needing certain medical needs each year. Cost wise the Medigap/Supplement is less expensive for the insured in the long run or short run due to the way it works, less deductibles, copays and coinsurance when you use the plan each year. You pay a bit more in premiums but due to the way the Medigap/Supplement Plan works you won't be paying all those deductibles, copays, coinsurances which can be a big savings in the long run and short run, especially if needing hospital care and rehab care. The Medigap/Supplement plan allows for more than 20 days in rehab after a hospital stay and the time element can help with better outcomes when needing rehab.
Hope this helps those looking into the plans and having to make decisions about the plans.
Barbara