MA supplemental benefits address gaps in traditional Medicare

By DAVE MULL
Guest Columnist

Medicare Advantage (MA), also known as Medicare Part C, is a managed care alternative to traditional Medicare coverage offered by health plans. In recent years, MA membership has grown substantially and MA plans have been permitted to add new benefits to better address members’ needs.

In particular, changes in regulation and legislation have allowed MA health plans, like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana, more flexibility in designing specially tailored benefits that support a person’s overall health and wellbeing. These supplemental benefits are unique to MA and can help address gaps in traditional Medicare. Supplemental benefits historically included “primarily health related” benefits like dental, vision, and hearing services and, more recently include services that support health-related needs such as help purchasing nutritious food and transportation to access plan benefits.

According to the National Academy of Medicine, what’s typically considered “medical care” only accounts for 10 to 20 percent of contributors to health outcomes. Other factors that have an impact on a person’s health include their access to grocery stores, relationships with friends and family, and home and workplace environments. These are known as social drivers of health, and they account for the remaining 80 to 90 percent.

Thanks to the expansion of MA supplemental benefits, plan members are now better able to get the help they need to improve their whole health. For example, while medically tailored meals have been offered as a conventional supplemental benefit for a while, some MA plans are now able to offer additional nutrition benefits such as grocery cards, which provide a monthly allowance that give members the ability to purchase produce and other food items at participating grocery stores.

A study published last year found that a vast majority of a MA health plan’s members used at least one supplemental benefit in 2022, with many accessing more than one benefit. In addition, members who used at least one supplemental benefit were more likely to live in areas with fewer resources, such as food deserts and areas with lower socioeconomic status, suggesting that these benefits are helping to address social drivers of health.

Another recent study suggested that use of supplemental benefits is associated with an increased likelihood of having a preventative screening or annual wellness visit and a decreased likelihood of having a hospitalization or emergency room visit for a non-emergent issue.

Today, more than 32 million people have chosen to enroll in a MA plan. That’s more than half of all eligible Medicare members, showcasing the critical value that MA plans, including supplemental benefits, provide for older adults and people with disabilities.

With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period fast approaching, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, it’s a crucial time for all Medicare-eligible individuals. Take this opportunity to review your options carefully to ensure that your MA plan is working for you. Don’t overlook the supplemental benefits, as these can significantly contribute to overall health and wellbeing.

Dave Mull is Medicare Market President for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana.