Top Benefits Often Included in Medicare Advantage Plans

Overview

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans have become one of the most popular ways for seniors to get their Medicare coverage. They include all the core Medicare Advantage benefits that Original Medicare provides and frequently go further by offering new Medicare benefits for seniors—such as dental, vision, hearing, wellness programs, and even grocery allowances.

This guide explains what every Medicare Advantage plan must cover and highlights the supplemental benefits that often make them an attractive option.

Core Coverage (Same as Original Medicare)

Every Medicare Advantage plan is required to cover the same hospital and medical services as Original Medicare:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance): inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health services.

• Part B (Medical Insurance): outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, durable medical equipment, and diagnostic services.

Hospice services remain covered by Original Medicare, not the Advantage plan, even if you’re enrolled in Part C.

Prescription Drug Coverage

Many people ask, “Does Medicare Advantage cover prescriptions?” The answer is yes—most plans include Part D coverage for generic and brand-name drugs. A small number of plans don’t, in which case you may need a separate Part D plan unless your plan type disallows it.

For seniors who want convenience, having medical, hospital, and drug benefits combined in one plan is a major draw.

Additional (Supplemental) Benefits

One of the biggest appeals of Medicare Advantage is the ability to receive services that Original Medicare does not cover. These new Medicare benefits for seniors vary by plan and region, but here are the most common.

Dental, Vision, and Hearing

Original Medicare excludes most routine care in these areas, but Advantage plans frequently add them. Seniors searching for dental insurance for seniors on Medicare often find it bundled into MA plans, along with eye exams and glasses through Medicare Advantage vision coverage. Some plans even combine them as dental and vision plans for seniors on Medicare, making it easier to manage care.

Hearing care is also important, and many insurers now offer Medicare Advantage plans with hearing aid coverage—a huge help since hearing aids can be costly without insurance.

Fitness and Wellness Programs

Staying active is critical for aging well. That’s why many plans include wellness perks like SilverSneakers gym memberships or fitness class discounts. These benefits encourage healthier living at little or no added cost.

Transportation, Meal Delivery, and Grocery Benefits

Beyond medical care, some insurers offer transportation to medical appointments or meal delivery after hospital stays. In certain areas, you may even find Medicare Advantage plans with a grocery allowance, giving members prepaid cards or credits to buy nutritious foods and support healthier lifestyles.

Out-of-Pocket Limits & Cost Protections

Another key feature is the annual out-of-pocket maximum required in every Medicare Advantage plan. Once you hit this limit for Part A and Part B services, you pay nothing more for covered services within the plan network for the rest of the year.

This provides important financial protection since Original Medicare does not set a cap on what you might spend.

Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

Some Medicare Advantage options are tailored for people with specific health or financial circumstances. Each program has its own special needs plans list of benefits, which may include additional coverage or care coordination for:

Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): for individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, also known as “dual eligibles.”

Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs): designed for individuals living with specific chronic health conditions that require tailored management and support.

Learn more about Special Needs Plans benefits.

Bottom Line

Medicare Advantage plans combine the required hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) services with extra features that go beyond what Original Medicare covers. Most include prescription drug benefits, and many offer dental, vision, hearing, wellness programs, transportation, meal delivery, and even grocery allowances.

By also including annual out-of-pocket maximums, Medicare Advantage provides cost protections that can help seniors manage their care more confidently. For many, these Medicare Advantage benefits represent a more comprehensive and convenient way to get coverage.