Written By

Greg Wohl

Licensed Medicare Specialist

One of the most compelling reasons beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage over Original Medicare is the promise of extra benefits. Dental cleanings, eyeglasses, hearing aids, gym memberships, and monthly OTC allowances are benefits that Original Medicare simply does not cover.

But 2026 has been a year of benefit reductions across the Medicare Advantage market. Insurers facing higher medical costs and lower reimbursement rates from CMS have cut back on supplemental benefits that were previously generous.

This guide explains what value-added benefits Medicare Advantage plans still offer in 2026, which benefits have been reduced or eliminated, and how to evaluate supplemental benefits when comparing plans.

Key Takeaways

Extra benefits are not guaranteed by federal law: Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover everything Original Medicare covers. Extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing are optional add-ons that plans offer voluntarily. They can be reduced or eliminated each plan year.
2026 has seen significant benefit reductions: Many Florida Medicare Advantage plans reduced OTC allowances, dental coverage limits, transportation benefits, and fitness memberships for 2026. This is a national trend driven by higher medical costs and CMS reimbursement changes.
Dental benefits vary widely and have important limitations: Most Medicare Advantage dental benefits cover preventive care (cleanings, X-rays) at 100%. Comprehensive dental coverage (crowns, root canals, dentures) is less common and often has annual limits of $1,000 to $2,000, which may not cover major procedures.
OTC allowances are still available but amounts have decreased: Many plans still offer monthly or quarterly OTC allowances for items like vitamins, pain relievers, and first aid supplies. Amounts have decreased from the $100-$150 monthly figures seen in prior years, with many plans now offering $25 to $75 per quarter.
Transportation benefits help with non-emergency medical trips: Some plans still offer a set number of one-way trips to medical appointments per year. This benefit is particularly valuable for beneficiaries who cannot drive or do not have reliable transportation.
Evaluate extra benefits carefully when comparing plans: Extra benefits should not be the primary reason to choose a Medicare Advantage plan. The plan's network, formulary, cost-sharing structure, and out-of-pocket maximum are more important factors. Extra benefits are a secondary consideration.

Dental Benefits: What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover

Dental coverage is one of the most sought-after extra benefits in Medicare Advantage, since Original Medicare covers almost no dental care.

Preventive dental (most plans): Most Medicare Advantage plans cover preventive dental services at 100% with no cost-sharing. This typically includes two cleanings per year, annual X-rays, and oral exams.

Comprehensive dental (fewer plans): Coverage for fillings, extractions, crowns, root canals, and dentures is less common and varies significantly. Plans that offer comprehensive dental usually have an annual benefit limit of $1,000 to $2,000. Major procedures like implants and dentures can cost far more than these limits.

What to watch for: Some plans advertise dental benefits prominently but only cover preventive care. Read the Evidence of Coverage carefully to understand what is actually covered and what the annual limit is.

For a full comparison of Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, see our guide on Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage in Florida.

Vision and Hearing Benefits

Original Medicare covers eye exams only for specific conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. It does not cover routine eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. Medicare Advantage plans frequently fill this gap.

Vision benefits typically include: One routine eye exam per year, an annual allowance for eyeglasses or contact lenses (typically $100 to $200), and sometimes discounts on LASIK or other vision correction procedures.

Hearing benefits: Original Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams or hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover one hearing exam per year and offer an allowance toward hearing aids, typically $500 to $2,500 per ear every one to three years. Hearing aids can cost $3,000 to $7,000 per pair, so even a partial allowance is valuable.

2026 changes: Several Florida plans reduced their hearing aid allowances for 2026. If hearing coverage is important to you, verify the specific allowance amount and eligible providers before enrolling.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Allowances

OTC allowances are one of the most popular Medicare Advantage extra benefits. Plans load a set dollar amount onto a prepaid card each month or quarter that you can use to purchase eligible OTC items.

What OTC allowances typically cover: Vitamins and supplements, pain relievers, cold and allergy medications, first aid supplies, blood pressure monitors, compression socks, and sometimes healthy food items.

2026 amounts: OTC allowances have decreased significantly from the peak years of 2022 to 2023. Many plans that previously offered $100 to $150 per month now offer $25 to $75 per quarter. Some plans have eliminated OTC allowances entirely.

How to use OTC allowances: Most plans partner with a specific OTC vendor (like OTC Health Solutions or NationsOTC) with an online catalog and participating retail locations. Unused balances typically do not roll over to the next period.

Flex cards: Some plans offer a broader flex card that can be used for OTC items, dental, vision, hearing, and sometimes utilities or food. These are more flexible but also more complex to understand.

Transportation, Fitness, and Other Benefits

Beyond dental, vision, hearing, and OTC, some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional supplemental benefits.

Transportation: Some plans provide a set number of one-way trips to medical appointments per year, typically 24 to 48 trips. This benefit is particularly valuable for beneficiaries who cannot drive. In 2026, many plans reduced the number of covered trips or eliminated this benefit.

Fitness memberships: Many plans include a fitness benefit, typically through SilverSneakers or a similar program, which provides access to participating gyms and fitness classes. This benefit has been more stable than OTC and transportation benefits.

Meal delivery: Some plans offer a limited number of post-hospitalization meal deliveries to support recovery at home.

Telehealth: Most Medicare Advantage plans now include telehealth visits, often with $0 copayments, for primary care and some specialty visits.

Caregiver support: A small number of plans offer caregiver respite services or in-home support for beneficiaries with chronic conditions.

How to Evaluate Extra Benefits When Comparing Plans

Extra benefits should be evaluated carefully, not just taken at face value from marketing materials.

Step 1: Identify which benefits you will actually use. A generous dental allowance is worthless if you have your own dental insurance. An OTC allowance is valuable if you regularly purchase eligible items.

Step 2: Read the Evidence of Coverage, not just the Summary of Benefits. The Summary of Benefits highlights the best features. The Evidence of Coverage contains the actual coverage rules, limitations, and exclusions.

Step 3: Calculate the dollar value of benefits you will use. If a plan has a $25/month OTC allowance and a $100/year vision allowance, that is $400 per year in extra value. Compare that against the plan's premium and cost-sharing differences versus other plans.

Step 4: Do not let extra benefits distract from core coverage. The plan's network, formulary, and out-of-pocket maximum matter far more than extra benefits. A plan with a $150/month OTC allowance but a $9,350 out-of-pocket maximum is not a good deal if you have significant healthcare needs.

For help comparing plans in your area, schedule a free consultation with our licensed specialists.

The Bottom Line on Medicare Advantage Extra Benefits

Medicare Advantage extra benefits are real and can provide meaningful value, but they have been scaled back in 2026 and should not be the primary reason to choose a plan. Here is the key guidance:

Preventive dental, vision, and hearing are still widely available and genuinely valuable since Original Medicare does not cover them
OTC allowances have decreased but are still available on many plans, typically $25 to $75 per quarter
Transportation and fitness benefits remain on some plans but have been reduced on many others
Evaluate benefits you will actually use and calculate their dollar value before comparing plans
Do not let extra benefits override core coverage decisions about network, formulary, and out-of-pocket maximum

Our licensed specialists can identify which Florida plans offer the best combination of core coverage and supplemental benefits for your specific situation. Schedule a free consultation to get a personalized plan comparison.