The Annual Open Enrollment period to choose Medicare plans is here! An exciting change for 2021 is the significant increase in supplemental benefits to members who chose Medicare Advantage.
From October 15 – December 7, most Americans 65 and older will have the opportunity to decide which health plans they want for 2021.
More Benefits
These extra perks are offered at no additional cost and can help improve the quality of your life! Here are the most popular benefits and the percentage of plans that will offer them:
- Vision – 98% of plans
- Telemedicine – 94% of plans
- Fitness – 94% of plans
- Dental – 91% of plans
- Meal Deliveries – 57%, up from 23%
- Transportation – 47% of plans
- Over-the-Counter drug benefits - 79%, up from 50%
One in three Medicare Advantage Plans will offer COVID-19 care and relief packages to beneficiaries such as masks, hand sanitizers, and a thermometer.
There is now greater flexibility for special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill to address their social determinants of health. For example, plans can offer home-delivered meals beyond a limited basis as a non-primarily health related benefit.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans are managed by private health insurance companies, who receive funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide benefits to Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare Advantage plans tend to be less restrictive than traditional Medicare. Many have lower out-of-pocket costs and have almost $1,600 lower on average than traditional Medicare fee-for-service plans.
The Choice Is Yours
Selecting the right Medicare option is an important decision. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer cost-saving benefits compared to Original Medicare. To make the right choice for you, compare plans, and review all the benefits they offer.
Those people with Original Medicare who do not wish to change their current plan don’t need to re-enroll to keep their current coverage. Remember, open enrollment ends on December 7!
For tips on successful aging in place, download our infographic!
