Medicare Advantage Extra Benefits: What Plans Actually Cover in 2020
Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits Original Medicare does not -- but not all benefits are equal. Here is what to look for and how to evaluate whether extra benefits are worth it.
Medicare Advantage Extra Benefits: What Plans Actually Cover in 2020
Medicare Advantage plans are heavily marketed on their extra benefits -- dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter allowances, fitness memberships, and more. These benefits are real, but their value varies enormously between plans. Here is how to evaluate what extra benefits are actually worth.
Dental Benefits
Dental is the most sought-after MA extra benefit -- and the most variable.
Preventive-only dental: Covers cleanings, exams, and X-rays. Does not cover fillings, crowns, or other restorative work. Value: $200-$400/year.
Comprehensive dental: Covers preventive care plus an annual allowance for basic services (fillings, extractions) and major services (crowns, dentures, root canals). Annual maximums typically range from $500 to $2,000.
What to look for:
- Annual maximum (how much the plan pays total)
- Whether major services (crowns, dentures) are covered
- Waiting periods for major services (some plans require 6-12 months before covering major work)
- Network restrictions (must you use specific dentists?)
- Whether implants are covered (rare but increasingly available)
Reality check: A plan with a $1,000 dental maximum sounds generous -- but a single crown costs $1,000-$1,500. Comprehensive dental needs can quickly exceed the annual maximum.
Vision Benefits
Most MA plans include a vision benefit:
- Annual routine eye exam (typically $0 copay)
- Annual allowance for glasses or contacts ($100-$300)
What to look for:
- Allowance amount and whether it applies to frames, lenses, or both
- Network restrictions (must you use a specific optical retailer?)
- Whether contact lens allowance equals glasses allowance
Hearing Benefits
Hearing benefits vary significantly:
- Annual hearing exam
- Hearing aid allowance ($500-$2,500 per ear, or per pair)
- Network partnerships (TruHearing, HearUSA, UnitedHealthcare Hearing)
Reality check: Quality hearing aids cost $2,000-$4,000 per pair. A $500 allowance covers a fraction of the cost. Evaluate the actual allowance amount carefully.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Allowance
An increasingly popular benefit -- a quarterly or monthly allowance for over-the-counter health products:
- Vitamins and supplements
- Pain relievers
- Cold and allergy medications
- First aid supplies
- Personal care items
Typical amounts: $25-$150 per quarter ($100-$600/year).
How it works: Most plans provide a prepaid card or catalog ordering system. Items must be from an approved list.
Value: If you regularly purchase OTC health products, this benefit has real dollar value. If you rarely buy OTC items, it's less valuable.
Fitness Benefits (SilverSneakers, Silver&Fit, Renew Active)
Free gym membership at participating locations. Covered by many MA plans.
Value: If you use a gym regularly, this benefit is worth $30-$60/month ($360-$720/year) in saved membership fees. If you don't use a gym, the value is $0.
Transportation Benefits
Some plans cover non-emergency medical transportation -- rides to doctor appointments, pharmacies, and other medical destinations.
Typical coverage: 12-48 one-way trips per year.
Value: Significant for beneficiaries who don't drive or have limited transportation options.
Meal Delivery After Hospitalization
Some plans provide home-delivered meals after a hospital or SNF discharge -- typically 14-28 meals.
Evaluating Extra Benefits: The Right Approach
Extra benefits should never be the primary reason to choose a Medicare Advantage plan. Evaluate them after confirming:
- Your doctors are in-network
- Your medications are covered at acceptable cost
- The plan's out-of-pocket maximum is reasonable
- The plan has a strong star rating (4-5 stars)
Once those boxes are checked, extra benefits can be a meaningful tiebreaker between otherwise comparable plans.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Explore Topics
About the Author
William Gray
Independent Medicare BrokerUS Air Force Veteran · Florida Medicare Specialist
William Gray is an independent Medicare insurance broker based in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL. A US Air Force veteran (A-10 crew chief, Germany), he spent years in corporate insurance before going independent to serve Florida seniors directly. He has helped more than 1,000 clients across Northeast Florida compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans — always at no cost to the client.
