Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t ordinarily cover, such as certain dental, vision, hearing and fitness benefits.
These benefits can be valuable, but they shouldn’t be the only reason you choose a Medicare Advantage plan.
Benefit amounts, provider networks, frequency limits, eligibility rules and covered services can vary dramatically from one plan to another.
Always understand the medical coverage first.
Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as:
But:
A plan may advertise:
“Dental included.”
But that doesn’t tell you enough.
Ask:
Ask whether the plan covers:
A hearing benefit might include:
Again, check the dollar limits and provider requirements.
Some plans provide allowances for approved over-the-counter products.
Understand:
Rules vary.
Don’t Let Extras Distract From Medical Coverage
Before comparing dental or gym benefits, evaluate:
Doctors
Hospitals
Specialists
Prior authorization
Prescription coverage
Medical copays
and
maximum out-of-pocket exposure.
Those issues can become much more important during serious illness.
The Truth About Medicare Advantage Extra Benefits
Dental, vision and hearing benefits are nice.
But I wouldn’t pick a Medicare Advantage plan because it gives me $1,500 of dental benefits without first asking what happens if I get cancer or need major surgery.
I want the medical coverage evaluated first.
Then use the extra benefits as a tie-breaker, not as the foundation of the decision.
Medicare Advantage plans cover Medicare-covered cancer treatment, including qualifying chemotherapy, but plan networks, prior authorization rules and out-of-pocket costs can become especially important when someone has cancer.
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, also commonly called Medicare Open Enrollment, runs, October 15 through December 7 each year.
