As a new Medicare enrollee, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available to you. It is a large organization, so it can be hard to discover which therapies are covered.
Medicare covers various goods and services due to COVID-19 and the expansion of healthcare items and treatments. It also covers more than 55 million Americans. Ten thousand people become Medicare-eligible each day.
However, there are various Medicare benefits that many of you are not aware of. The guide reveals the benefits of the best Medicare plans you have been missing out on. Knowing all the perks of the best Medicare advantage plans will aid in your favor in the long run.
What Are the Unexpected Benefits Offered by Medicare?
1. The Monthly Medicare Premiums Are Affordable
Part A of Medicare is complimentary, while Part B needs a small monthly charge. Part B’s regular monthly premium was supposed to be $148.50 in 2021. It was a nice decrease in out-of-pocket surgery, drug, and other expenditures.
For instance, you will be charged for deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums in Ohio. The premium for specific plans, however, may begin at zero dollars. Insurance costs in Ohio average $18.75 per month (in 2022).
More than 4.7 million Floridians are enrolled in Medicare, and the variety of available plans continues to expand. Finding the Medicare benefits in Florida for your needs will require you to make some comparisons. Medicare in Florida is at an average of $8.36 per month.
2. Weight-Loss Counseling to Change Habits
These are covered by both traditional Medicare Part B and the best Medicare advantage plans.
Medicare is on your side in the quest for a healthy weight. Part B covers obesity testing and behavioral therapy administered by a patient’s PCP.
Moreover, according to the CDC, a third of U.S. adults 60 and older are overweight.
Things to know-
- Medicare covers nutritional evaluations and obesity screenings. So, individuals may lose weight and improve their health.
- Unfortunately, not everyone can get access to weight-loss programs. Usually, a person’s body mass index (BMI) is 30 or more, they are considered obese. If that describes you, a 12-month therapy program may be available to you.
- You must come in once a week for the first month, twice for the following five months, and once for the final six months if you lose 6 1/2 pounds in 6 months.
- Your doctor will recommend a diet, exercise plan, and medications.
3. Millions of People Are Protected by Medicare
Medicare is effective in many ways. The best advantage Medicare plan has given millions of seniors access to healthcare. Many disabled younger Americans are covered by Medicare as well. Having so many individuals insured by Medicare is seen as a great benefit.
4. Medicare Offers Meal Advantages
2019 CMS rules urge Medicare Advantage providers to provide healthy meal delivery. Illness or other circumstances that keep you from leaving the house may call for this.
Most food delivery services are for after a hospitalization or nursing home stay. There is a time restriction on this benefit; plan approval is probably needed in advance.
Check with your service provider or read the small print to see whether Medicare benefits cover meal delivery.
5. Telehealth
Medicare’s coverage for telemedicine was entirely restricted before the recent coronavirus outbreak. But it has modified its telehealth standards during a public health emergency.
The ‘best advantage Medicare’ plan members (HMOs and PPOs) can also access telehealth services.
6. Treatment for Emergencies Abroad
Do you want to schedule a new trip? Specific Medicare Supplement plans reimburse up to 80% of travel medical expenses.
You can’t uproot your life and go to Tahiti, but at least you are covered with the right Medicare plan.
- There is a lifetime cap of $50,000, and coverage is only valid for the first 60 days of your trip. When you reach that point, no further progress will be made.
- Foreign tourists nevertheless can find considerable solace in purchasing travel insurance. Medicare Supplement Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide this protection.
7. Acupuncture
Both Part B and Medicare Advantage offer this. You may not think it’s a good time to be pricked all over with needles.
But acupuncture has been demonstrated to reduce stress, promote health, and reduce pain medication use. If you have significant lower back pain, insurance may cover acupuncture.
Things to remember:
- With a doctor’s recommendation, Medicare Part B will cover up to 12 acupuncture sessions in 90 days.
- Medicare Advantage plans must cover Part B by law. If your doctor sees improvement, your plan covers up to eight further sessions.
Your success with acupuncture is not guaranteed. However, the Mayo Clinic reports that the technique is entirely safe. The most common adverse effect is muscle pain. If you have persistent back discomfort, the procedure might be beneficial.
8. Rehabilitation From Substance Abuse
Medicare now provides this possibly lifesaving benefit. In 2020, treatment for opioid use disorder and other addictions became accessible.
Things to know:
- Medicare covers chronic medication-assisted therapy for drug abuse disorders.
- Qualified professionals refer patients to addiction treatment programs.
- By combining counseling and drugs, providers may personalize treatment to each patient’s needs.
9. Costs Associated With Joining a Fitness Center
Original Medicare doesn’t cover gym fees or fitness programs. However, many of the best Medicare Advantage plans do cover this expense.
It’s important to note that the specifics of each fitness program are unique. Free gym memberships, on-demand training DVDs, and live streaming fitness courses are available.
10. Free Testing for COVID and Vaccinations
Medicare enrollees (seniors, disabled younger people) receive free COVID immunizations and testing. 50% of 65-year-olds have prediabetes, which may develop into type 2 diabetes.
11. Transportation
Blind persons may have trouble getting to and from doctor’s offices. That’s especially true if you have trouble moving about or are nursing an injury.
Some Medicare Advantage programs even pay for a designated driver to assist out. Most of these programs secure service from third-party providers via formal contracts.
12. Drug Benefits Caused by Medicare
Because of Medicare, the market for pharmaceuticals has exploded. The availability of prescriptions in the United States has increased dramatically. Pharmaceutical companies developed drugs for the elderly to capitalize on an underserved market.
Insurance firms provide Medicare Part D and MA-PDs to enhance prescription drug access.
13. Vision Coverage by Medicare
Original Medicare doesn’t cover eye care, but Medicare Advantage does. From 2021, most Medicare Advantage plans are now providing vision insurance. This benefit covers eye tests, eyeglasses, and contact lenses.
Some Medicare Advantage plans may have additional costs for these services. However, the best Medicare plans already provide vision care at no additional expense. If your monthly price doesn’t cover eye treatment, you may get it free from your Medicare Advantage plan.
14. Possible Treatments for Cancer
Medicare currently covers cutting-edge cancer medicines due to advancements. The best Medicare plans will cover next-generation cancer sequencing.
15. Free Preventative Care
Medicare covers mammograms, depression testing, prostate cancer exams, and flu vaccines. A “Welcome to Medicare” physical and annual wellness checkups are free during the first year of Medicare coverage.
16. Assistance With Mental Health Issues
Maybe you don’t include “mental health” on your monthly health checklist. But Medicare covers it. Your Medicare Part B plan will cover anxiety, melancholy, loneliness, and more.
Things you will get-
- Advantages include medicine, family counseling, talk therapy, and groups.
- Medicare Part B has preventative treatment, including depression screenings and “wellness” sessions.
Knowing your plan allows you to maximize your coverage and prevents unpleasant surprises. It may pave the way to a long and fruitful partnership with the best Medicare plans.
Conclusion
Before deciding, you should learn as much as possible about the best Medicare advantage plans. Compare plans from different companies to see what options you have and what perks each one offers. Private health insurance may provide you with superior coverage options.
