Medicare Advantage Extra Benefits
Beyond hospital and medical coverage, Medicare Advantage plans can include OTC allowances, transportation, fitness memberships, dental, vision, hearing, and more. Here is what to look for and how benefits compare.
What Extra Benefits Can Medicare Advantage Include?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers hospital and medical services but excludes most dental, vision, hearing, and wellness benefits. Medicare Advantage plans — offered by private insurers approved by Medicare — are required to cover everything Original Medicare covers, and many go further by adding extra benefits at no additional premium or a low additional cost.
OTC Allowance
Quarterly credit for vitamins, pain relievers, bandages, and more at participating retailers.
Transportation
Rides to and from covered medical appointments — no out-of-pocket cost.
Fitness Benefits
SilverSneakers or similar program: gym access, classes, and online workouts.
Vision
Annual eye exam plus allowance for glasses or contact lenses.
Hearing
Hearing exams and allowance toward hearing aids.
Dental
Preventive care and often comprehensive dental benefits.
Prescription Drugs
Most plans include Part D drug coverage (MAPD plans).
Meal Delivery
Short-term meal delivery after a qualifying hospital stay.
Telehealth
Virtual visits with primary care and specialists, often at $0 copay.
Extra Benefit Availability by Plan
Not every Medicare Advantage plan offers every extra benefit. Availability depends on the plan type, the insurer, and the county where you live. The table below shows how commonly each benefit appears across Medicare Advantage plans.
| Benefit | Availability |
|---|---|
| Dental (Preventive) | Included by Most Plans |
| Vision | Included by Most Plans |
| Hearing | Included by Most Plans |
| Over-the-Counter (OTC) Allowance | Included by Most Plans |
| Fitness Membership (SilverSneakers) | Included by Most Plans |
| Transportation to Medical Appointments | Included by Most Plans |
| Telehealth / Virtual Visits | Included by Most Plans |
| Meal Delivery After Hospital Stay | Offered by Some Plans |
| Home Safety Modifications | Offered by Some Plans |
| Caregiver Support | Offered by Some Plans |
| Worldwide Emergency Coverage | Offered by Some Plans |
| Acupuncture / Chiropractic | Offered by Some Plans |
Understanding the OTC Allowance
The over-the-counter (OTC) allowance is one of the most popular extra benefits in Medicare Advantage. It works like a prepaid debit card or catalog credit that you can use to purchase approved health-related items. Here is how it typically works:
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Many Medicare Advantage plans include rides to and from covered medical appointments as an extra benefit. This is especially valuable for members who do not drive or have difficulty accessing transportation. Key points:
- Covers rides to doctor visits, dialysis, chemotherapy, lab tests, and other covered medical appointments
- Typically provided through a third-party transportation vendor (Lyft, Uber Health, or dedicated medical transport)
- The number of covered one-way trips per year varies — commonly 24 to 48 trips annually
- Must be scheduled in advance (usually 24-48 hours) through the plan's transportation line
- Does not cover emergency ambulance transport (that is covered separately under Part A/B)
- Some plans extend coverage to non-medical trips such as pharmacy pickups or grocery runs for qualifying members
Find Plans With the Best Extra Benefits in Your Area
Extra benefits vary significantly by plan and ZIP code. A licensed Medicare specialist can compare every plan available in your area and help you find the one with the benefits that matter most to you — at no cost to you.