Jack's Blog on Medicare Plan Choices

Are you forgetful?  Do you leave some of your Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits behind each year?  Well, you are not alone and apparently Medicare is aware and doing something about it.

To start, we just used the words “advantage” and “supplemental’ in the same sentence. To be clear, we are not talking about. “Supplemental Plans” also known as “MediGap” plans.  We are strictly talking about “Advantage Plans.” 

The reason many people choose Advantage Plans over Original Medicare, is because of the added, or supplemental benefits.  I like the term: “beyond Medicare benefits.”  These are the extra things that Original Medicare does not touch, things like dental, vision and hearing benefits.

According to CMS.gov, as published on their website under the April 4, 2024 final rule, over 99% of Medicare Advantage plans offered at least one supplemental benefit. The median was 23 supplemental benefits, and the most frequently offered benefits were vision, hearing, fitness, and dental.

This new rule for 2025, requires Medicare Advantage plans to inform you about your available supplemental benefits. This notification must be sent between June 30 and July 31 of the plan year.  This will be mandatory in 2025.

Key features of this notification include:

1. Personalization: You should receive a customized notification.

2. Unused Benefits List: It includes a list of supplemental benefits that you have not used used in the first six months of the year.

3. Benefit Details: For each available benefit, the notification must provide:

   – The scope of the benefit

   – Associated cost-sharing

   – Instructions on how to access the benefit

   – Any applicable network information

4. Customer Support: The notification must include a customer service number for you to call if you need additional assistance.

Well, there you have it.  This requirement aims to ensure that you are fully aware of and can take advantage of all the supplemental benefits included in your plan.  If you would like to learn more, you will need to go to CMS.gov instead of Medicare.gov.  Here is a link: Contract Year 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule (CMS-4205-F) | CMS

Here is my disclaimer.  I gather most of my information from Medicare.gov and CMS.gov and to the best of my knowledge, it is accurate.  Please use this information as a guideline.

Before choosing an Advantage or Supplement plan, ensure you have a thorough understanding of Medicare itself. When it’s time to explore your options, don’t fall for a sales pitch from a single company or an agent representing only one provider.

At “More Plans More Choices,” I can provide you with side-by-side comparisons from various insurance carriers. More carriers plus more plans equals more choices.

Call me toll free at (888) 883-6074