Seniors have embraced Medicare Advantage plans for their free or deeply discounted benefits like eyeglasses, dental coverage, gym memberships and reimbursements for — not kidding — golf clubs and pickleball paddles.
While these plan perks are a joy to imagine using, many people never reach them.
“Medicare Advantage enrollees often don’t know what extra benefits their plans offer or how to use them,” Gretchen Jacobson, vice president for Medicare at the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit research foundation, told Yahoo Finance.
“Most Medicare Advantage enrollees say they would like to receive notices about unused benefits,” she added.
Eight in 10 believe these benefits are an important part of their plans, according to new research by the Commonwealth Fund. However, 3 in 10 beneficiaries reported that they had not used any additional benefits in the previous year.
Less than half took advantage of dental, vision, gym memberships or over-the-counter drug allowance and less than 1 in 10 used benefits such as hearing aids, grocery allowance or meal delivery.
About 34.4 million people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, which is about 54 percent of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries, up from 32 percent a decade ago, according to KFF, a nonprofit health research organization.
The alternative health insurance program to traditional Medicare for those age 65 and older consists of plans run by private insurance companies such as UnitedHealthcare and Humana, and they have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years.
A big part of the appeal is all the shiny extras offered by all these plans that aren’t included in traditional Medicare, which is administered by the federal government.
To provide these goodies, Medicare Advantage insurers are paid by the federal government to provide most of these discounts worth about $86 billion this year, according to a 2025 report by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), which advises Congress on Medicare policy. That’s up from $21 billion in 2018.
One reason they don’t enjoy these benefits is that enrollees say they don’t need them. Another concern, however, is that about a quarter of those surveyed said they either didn’t know all the benefits their plan offered or didn’t know how to use them, Jacobson said.
Given the extensive federal funding that is provided for these benefits, it is important for both Medicare beneficiaries and the federal government that Medicare Advantage subscribers know what their plan has to offer and how they can use it, she said. “Our survey found that notifications could be an important step in that direction.”
That almost happened. A new mandate, which will begin next year, has been filed to address the issue. In September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services notified Medicare Advantage insurers that they would not be required to remind members about unused supplemental benefits for the time being.
Those notifications, however, would have been just one piece of the puzzle. Even those who know about their benefits find them difficult to use.
Seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans reported it was difficult to access benefits, Commonwealth researchers found. That’s because the benefits aren’t convenient, or in the case of, say, the SilverSneakers fitness program membership, they couldn’t find a local gym or fitness center near their homes that offered them. For other free services, members said there is no provider or in-network provider in their city that offers the discounts.
Fall Medicare enrollment ends Dec. 7, and if you haven’t reviewed your coverage for 2026, time is running out.
Learn more: Medicare Open Enrollment: How to Adjust or Add Coverage
For 2026, experts say some Medicare Advantage plans are reducing their dental and vision coverage and increasing copays for seeing specialists. So if you signed up for a gym membership through a Medicare Advantage plan, it may not be available next year.
“Additional benefits, such as dental, vision and gym memberships, should be considered, but only after making sure the plan will provide affordable health coverage and access to the doctors, hospitals and drugs the person needs,” Louise Norris, health policy analyst for MedicareResources.org, previously told Yahoo Finance.
Over the next few days, enrollees can make changes to their coverage, which take effect January 1. You can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, and add or change your Part D prescription drug plan. And possibly add or change a new Medigap policy.
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Here are resources to help you sort through your plan offerings for next year:
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Medicare’s online plan finder at Medicare.gov allows you to review your Medicare Advantage plan options. However, enrollees should call their preferred health providers to confirm that they will be authorized to treat you next year. Also, before signing up, call your health insurer to confirm the details of any 2026 plans.
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The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Network offers one-on-one counseling in each state. You can find your local ship here.
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The Medicare Rights Center offers a toll-free consumer helpline: 800-333-4114. You can also contact Medicare directly at 800-633-4227 to find Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans in your area and enroll directly.
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The National Council on Aging has a toll-free helpline (800-794-6559) to help you navigate your plan comparisons.
Kerry Hannon is a senior columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist and the author of 14 books, including “Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future,” “In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in the New World of Work,” and “Never too old to get rich.” Follow her further Bluesky.
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