When people think about Medicare benefits, they often think about coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications. But Medicare coverage can include more benefits and services than many people realize.
Depending on the type of Medicare coverage you choose, you may have access to additional benefits designed to support your health, wellness, and everyday needs.
Understanding what benefits may be available can help you make more informed decisions about your healthcare coverage.
What Benefits Are Included With Original Medicare?
Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).
These parts of Medicare help cover medically necessary services and supplies, including:
- Inpatient hospital care
- Doctor visits
- Outpatient care
- Preventive services
- Lab tests
- Durable medical equipment
- Certain home health services
However, Original Medicare does not generally include routine coverage for services such as dental care, routine vision care, hearing aids, or fitness memberships.
Some people choose additional coverage to help with costs and services that Original Medicare does not cover.
What Additional Benefits May Be Available Through Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide Medicare Part A and Part B coverage and may include additional benefits beyond Original Medicare.
Depending on the plan, additional benefits may include:
- Dental coverage
- Vision benefits
- Hearing benefits
- Fitness memberships
- Over-the-counter allowances
- Transportation assistance
- Wellness programs
- Telehealth services
- Care coordination and member support
Benefits vary by plan, so it is important to review the specific benefits included with each plan.
Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?
Many people are surprised to learn that Original Medicare generally does not cover most routine dental care, such as cleanings, fillings, or dentures.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits that may help cover preventive and comprehensive dental services.
Dental benefits can vary significantly by plan, including covered services, provider requirements, and annual limits.
Does Medicare Include Vision Benefits?
Original Medicare generally does not cover routine eye exams for glasses or contact lenses.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer vision benefits, which may include:
- Routine eye exams
- Allowances for eyeglasses
- Allowances for contact lenses
If vision coverage is important to you, reviewing the details of a plan’s vision benefits can help you understand what is included.
Are Hearing Benefits Included With Medicare?
Hearing loss is common as people age, but many people do not realize that Original Medicare generally does not cover routine hearing aids.
Some Medicare Advantage plans may include hearing benefits, such as:
- Routine hearing exams
- Access to hearing aid programs
- Hearing aid allowances or reduced-cost options
Coverage and costs vary by plan.
Can Medicare Plans Include Fitness Benefits?
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer fitness benefits that provide access to participating gyms, fitness centers, or wellness programs.
Fitness benefits may make it easier to stay active and incorporate regular physical activity into your routine.
Depending on the plan, fitness programs may include access to:
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Exercise classes
- Online fitness resources
- Wellness programs
What Is an OTC Benefit?
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer an over-the-counter, or OTC, allowance.
An OTC benefit may help members purchase eligible health and wellness products, such as:
- Pain relievers
- Allergy medications
- Vitamins and supplements
- First-aid supplies
- Personal care products
- Other eligible health-related items
The products covered and the amount of the allowance vary by plan.
Can Medicare Advantage Plans Help With Transportation?
Some Medicare Advantage plans include transportation benefits to help members get to approved healthcare appointments and locations.
Transportation benefits may help improve access to care, especially for individuals who have difficulty getting to medical appointments.
Specific eligibility requirements, trip limits, and covered destinations vary by plan.
What Wellness and Support Programs May Be Available?
Some Medicare Advantage plans include programs designed to support members beyond traditional medical care.
These programs may include:
- Health education
- Wellness coaching
- Care coordination
- Support for managing chronic conditions
- Preventive health resources
- Social and emotional wellness programs
These services are designed to help members better understand their health and connect with available resources.
Why Should You Review All of a Medicare Plan’s Benefits?
When comparing Medicare plans, it can be easy to focus only on monthly premiums and copays.
However, additional benefits may also play an important role in your overall healthcare experience.
When reviewing a plan, consider:
- Are dental benefits important to you?
- Do you need vision or hearing coverage?
- Would you use a fitness membership?
- Could an OTC allowance help with everyday health products?
- Would transportation assistance be useful?
- Are wellness or care coordination programs important to you?
The right plan depends on your individual healthcare needs, budget, preferences, and priorities.
Where Can You Learn More About Medicare Advantage Benefits?
Medicare Advantage benefits vary by plan, insurance company, and service area. It is important to review the specific details of any plan before enrolling.
Peak Advantage Medicare plans offer a variety of additional benefits designed to support members’ health and well-being, including benefits related to dental, vision, hearing, fitness, OTC products, transportation, wellness, and more.
To learn more about the additional benefits available through Peak Advantage, visit the Peak Advantage Additional Benefits page.