Medicare Advantage plans offer a unique set of benefits. Not only do they cover hospital and medical expenses at $0 per month, but they also include drug coverage as well.
These plans are offered through major insurance companies such as United Healthcare, Aetna, and Humana. But to stay competitive in the market, each carrier has started to offer extra wellness benefits.
Medicare Advantage plans now include dental vision and hearing coverage, Fitness benefits, and many other benefits such as transportation and over-the-counter drug allowances. These are used to promote day-to-day wellness and reward you for staying healthy.
While these benefits are not available on all plans, each year carriers work to improve their plans to enhance user experience.
Below are some of the main benefits that are offered on Medicare Advantage plans:
Fitness benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer fitness benefits. carriers partner with third-party providers such as Silver Sneakers or Renew Active across participating health Facilities and gyms. Free fitness classes, wearables, and nutritional guidance are included in this benefit. using this as an incentive can help you stay healthy and maintain your weight through diet and exercise.
Dental, vision, and hearing
Medicare Advantage plans include dental vision and hearing benefits. While this is not required on a Medicare Advantage plan, this has been included to further assist beneficiaries in getting access to dental and vision services.
Each carrier differs with the amount of coverage they provide, but overall improvements are made each year to ensure that beneficiaries get the most coverage. However, if the benefits are not sufficient, you can also purchase a standalone vision or dental plan
Transportation benefits
Some Medicare Advantage plans have started providing transportation benefits. These benefits are included to help you get to and from the doctor’s office. This can make it easier to maintain your health and have access to healthcare especially if you are unable to drive or can’t make it to a doctor without assistance.
It is important to note that not all carriers offer this benefit, so work with a broker to make sure that you get a plan with this benefit if you’re interested
Reimbursement programs
Many Medicare Advantage plans include various types of reimbursement programs. when it comes to prescription drugs, reimbursement programs can be available for over-the-counter medications and other products available at a local pharmacy. other reimbursements can be made for meals or other services. each plan is different and it may not be included in your plan
Another available reimbursement program is for Medicare Part B. By enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can lower the cost of Medicare Part B monthly and help decrease out-of-pocket costs. This is only available on select carriers, so work with a broker to assist you in choosing the right plan if you are interested in this discount.
Overall these benefits are provided through Medicare Advantage plans. While not all plans offer the same benefits, Medicare Advantage plans are in the process of improving their plans every year. During the Annual Enrollment Period of October 15th to December 7th you have the opportunity to change plans and find an option that works best for you.