Medicare Advantage Extra Benefits
Beyond covering the same Part A and Part B services as Original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional, supplemental benefits. These extras vary widely from plan to plan and are never guaranteed — here's the range of what's out there.
What's Out There
Common Supplemental Benefits
Dental, Vision & Hearing
Coverage for routine cleanings, eye exams and glasses, or hearing exams and hearing aids — usually with an annual dollar allowance rather than unlimited coverage.
Fitness Programs
Memberships to participating gyms or fitness classes, sometimes bundled with online or at-home workout options, similar to well-known senior fitness programs.
Transportation
A set number of one-way rides per year to medical appointments or the pharmacy, often through a scheduled ride service.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Allowance
A quarterly or monthly credit to spend on approved over-the-counter items like pain relievers, vitamins, and first-aid supplies, usually through a catalog or approved retailers.
Meal Delivery After a Hospital Stay
A limited number of prepared meals delivered to your home for a short period after an inpatient hospital or skilled nursing stay, to support recovery.
In-Home Support Services
Help with everyday tasks like light housekeeping, personal care, or safety check-ins, typically limited in scope and offered mainly through Special Needs Plans.
Telehealth
Virtual doctor visits by phone or video, often with no or low cost-sharing, in addition to the telehealth benefits already included under Original Medicare.
Read the Fine Print
These Benefits Vary — a Lot
Not every Medicare Advantage plan offers every benefit listed above, and the ones that are offered can differ significantly in dollar amount, network, and rules from one plan to the next — and even from one county to the next for the same insurer. Some benefits are only included in certain plan types, such as Special Needs Plans for people with specific chronic conditions or dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility.
Before assuming a plan includes a benefit you're counting on, check that specific plan's Evidence of Coverage document — this is the official, plan-specific document that spells out exactly what is and isn't covered, along with any dollar limits or network restrictions.