Medicare Advantage Perks Face Scrutiny Amid Benefit Changes

Medicare Advantage plans are undergoing significant changes to their "extra perks" starting in 2026, with several popular benefits being scaled back or removed. These alterations affect services such as transportation to medical appointments, over-the-counter (OTC) allowances for health-related items, fitness and wellness programs, and meal delivery services. Insurers are reportedly tightening eligibility rules, reducing coverage amounts, or limiting the scope of what these benefits can be used for, citing rising costs and a prioritization of medically necessary services over lifestyle perks.

Specifically, transportation benefits may offer fewer covered rides or stricter destination approvals. OTC allowances are seeing reduced dollar amounts or limitations on purchasable items. While dental and vision coverage are not disappearing entirely, many plans are lowering annual spending limits or increasing copays. Health plans that proposed expanding benefits to include non-medical items like streaming services or medical marijuana were reportedly denied by officials.

Industry experts note that these changes reflect a broader trend of cost control within Medicare Advantage. Seniors are encouraged to carefully review their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each year and compare different plans during open enrollment to ensure their needs are met, as benefits that were available in previous years may not offer the same value in 2026.