What are the most overhyped benefits of Medicare Advantage plans that seniors should be wary of?

Question

Gretchen Morris · Accepted Answer

Benefits that are advertised nationally that only a super small percentage of the population (usually poverty level) qualify for. It's misleading for our senior population and creates confusion when there doesn't need to be any.

Answered by Gretchen Morris on March 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in MN, AZ, FL & WI

Answered by Gretchen Morris Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

The extra add-ons to the Medicare advantage plans, such as dental, hearing, and vision coverage, are one area to be sure to evaluate each and every year, as these plans change annually and must be renewed annually. Another area is those who receive cash cards to help cover OTC utilities, etc., which are subject to change from year to year and are being carefully analyzed in Congress today as to whether to continue allowing such benefits.

Answered by Larry Dalton on April 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Tony Capraro III · Answer

The ZERO premium monthly hype! Why do you think those commercials are shown 24/7? The insurance companies are making huge $$$ with them. There are always an OUT OF POCKET maximum the client is responsible for! Most Plans are Max Out of Pocket from $4500-$10,000 and that's ANNUALLY! Disclosure-I offer Medicare Advantage Plans through Humana -and they are great plans for folks who know both the Pros and Cons of these plans! Work with someone who offers BOTH Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement/Medigap like I do!

Answered by Tony Capraro III on March 27, 2025

Agent Licensed in NH

Answered by Tony Capraro III Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Crocker · Answer

The most "overhyped" benefits of Medicare Advantage plans are those "benefits" that don't exist at all, at least not for most people. One common example is a "grocery card." It's an old bait and switch ploy that has been used by disreputable telemarketers for years: Call an unsuspecting senior and ask him/her if they would like more information on getting on a plan that gives them hundreds of dollars for groceries each month. The problem is these benefits are usually available only to Medicare recipients who have a low enough income to qualify for full Medicaid benefits. That rules out the vast majority of seniors, but the telemarketer now has the senior on the phone and can apply pressure to move them to a new plan anyway, without doing a proper needs analysis.

Answered by Michael Crocker on April 5, 2025

Broker Licensed in SC

Answered by Michael Crocker Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Brauer · Answer

The most overhyped benefit is the "money back" plans that many Medicare Advantage Plans offer. Don't get me wrong, they are a good product IF you are aware of the other benefits that are not nearly as robust as the non "money back" plans. There are some insurance products to pair with "money back on your Part B plans" that most brokers are not aware of.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

Well that's a long list 
First of all, they're not as good coverage as Medicare supplement plans not even close 
People love them because they have $0 monthly premiums but once they become seriously ill they can spend anywhere from $4 to $10,000 a year out of pocket 
They offer freebies. Beware of freebies, the more they give you the higher your maximum out of pocket is each year 
The dental plans are terrible. They have so many restrictions that they are almost of no value except to get your teeth cleaned and it's often more and more difficult to find a dentist that will take them 
The vision plan coverages okay 
Hearing plan coverage is okay 
If they start offering you like $50 a quarter towards pharmacy and items like bandages, cough syrup etc. Beware that's a trap. The more they give you the higher your max out of pocket. What you want is the least of perks and the lowest Max out of pocket because once you get sick that max out of pocket is the maximum you have to spend before your insurance kicks in at 100% too. So if it's 5'8 $10,000 a year and you have a long-term illness, you're going to be paying that every year and and you'll go broke. That is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy today and their poor coverage 
Medicare supplements you don't have that issue

Ellen Diehl · Answer

I have one person who called me who is 77 years old and she was conned into an Advantage plan that did not have Emory hospital in it.  Now she has no access to Emory hospital.

What are the most overhyped benefits of Medicare Advantage plans that seniors should be wary of?

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What are the most overhyped benefits of Medicare Advantage plans that seniors should be wary of?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

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