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Call 1-858-363-8275 -- FreeOne of the most common reactions seniors have when they find out what Medicare Advantage can include is: why did nobody tell me this sooner? The extra benefits available on many Medicare Advantage plans -- benefits that Original Medicare simply does not cover -- can add up to thousands of dollars of value per year. Here is the complete list of what may be available to you.
Most Medicare Advantage plans include at least preventive dental care: two cleanings per year, X-rays, and annual exams. Many include more -- fillings, extractions, and some even cover major dental work like crowns, bridges, root canals, and dentures, up to an annual maximum (commonly $1,000 to $2,500). Original Medicare covers almost none of this. If keeping your teeth healthy matters to you -- and it matters more as we age -- this benefit alone can be worth hundreds of dollars a year.
Annual eye exams, plus an allowance for eyeglasses or contact lenses, are included on many Medicare Advantage plans. Original Medicare only covers eye exams related to specific medical conditions like glaucoma or cataracts. An allowance for frames or contacts through a plan can save you $100 to $200 per year or more.
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing exams and offer discounts or coverage toward hearing aids. Hearing aids are expensive -- sometimes several thousand dollars per ear -- and Original Medicare does not cover them. The hearing benefits on Medicare Advantage plans vary significantly, so it is worth asking specifically about this if hearing is a concern.
A large number of Medicare Advantage plans include the SilverSneakers program, which gives you free access to thousands of gyms, fitness centers, YMCAs, and exercise classes across the United States. Similar programs include Silver&Fit and Renew Active. If you use a gym regularly, this benefit alone can be worth $30 to $50 per month -- or more than $400 per year.
Depending on your plan, you may also be entitled to free or subsidized transportation to medical appointments and pharmacies; a quarterly over-the-counter (OTC) allowance to spend on health products like vitamins, pain relievers, and bandages; meal delivery after a hospital stay; and in some cases, telehealth visits, home health support, or caregiver support services. These benefits vary significantly by plan and by zip code -- which is why speaking with a licensed agent who can look up exactly what is available in your area is so valuable.
Want to know which extra benefits are available on plans in your zip code? Call us free -- we will pull up every plan and show you exactly what each one includes.
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