Medicare Perks: Lesser-Known Benefits

Julie VanDyke

 

When most people think of Medicare, they’re thinking coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. You know, the usual.

 

But if you do a deep dive into Medicare, you’ll find that beyond the expected benefits lies a bounty of others that may surprise you. Let’s dive in!

 

Part C Plans

If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, issued through an insurance company, you’re in the majority. More than 51 percent of Medicare recipients do, according to July 2025 figures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). With this coverage, your plan likely covers some dental, vision, and hearing. What you may not realize are other goodies you can get.

 

In addition to your member ID card, you may also receive a FlexCard. This arrives by mail with a pre-loaded balance you can use for:

• Over-the-counter items (bandages, vitamins/supplements, skin/cold/flu remedies & more)
• Groceries or utilities
• Assistive devices for your home
• Extra allowances for dental, vision and hearing expenditures

Before you start swiping though, confirm your specific benefits, the dollar amounts, and how often funds are loaded onto your FlexCard.

 

Just got home from a hospital stay? Your Advantage plan may offer free, home-delivered meals

until you’re on your feet again.

 

Need a lift? Your Part C plan may cover transportation to and from doctors’ appointments, the gym, pharmacy, supermarket, and other locations.

 

Ready to hit the gym but reluctant to take on membership fees? Many Advantage plans offer this benefit for free — and possibly a Fitbit or other fitness-tracking device.

 

Considering an overseas vacay? Many Advantage plans offer worldwide travel coverage for emergency medical care.

 

Another goodie: personal emergency response devices (think: “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!”), plus their monthly fee. If you live alone, this little device can provide enormous peace of mind.

 

Insurance companies often partner with vendors to offer discounts on everything from GPS devices to rental cars to pet insurance. These lesser-known benefits can be accessed by creating an online account at your host insurance company’s website, then searching vendor discounts.

 

Note: Medicare Advantage plans include all traditional Medicare benefits.

 

Medical Supplement (Medigap) Plans

Fun fact: many folks are unaware that a Medical Supplement plan is not an insurance plan; its purchase is optional and merely fills in gaps of coverage with traditional Medicare Parts A and B.

 

These plans are administered through Medicare-approved insurance companies. As with all Medicare planning, do your homework: check and compare available benefits.

 

Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B)

If you opt for traditional Medicare, you’re likely aware that it covers multiple preventive screenings and various vaccines, among other benefits. But wait, there’s more, like:

 

• Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Wheelchairs, crutches, diabetic supplies (including shoes), hospital beds, and speech-generating devices, to name a few.

While Medicare pays much of the cost of DME, there may be a coinsurance fee for equipment.

• Home Health Care. If you are homebound, Medicare covers home health services such as physical, speech, and occupational therapies.
• Foot Care. Includes the diagnosis and medical or surgical treatment of foot injury or diseases (such as hammer toe or heel spurs). Also covered: routine care for members with certain medical conditions affecting the feet and/or lower limbs.

 

By now your head may be swimming with all these little health- and life-enhancing gems tucked away in your Medicare plan.

 

As with anything important, perform your due diligence, and dig into your plan for all your benefits. These all exist to support and enrich your wellbeing. The deep dive is well worth it!

 

 

Julie VanDyke is a freelance writer specializing in retirement matters. She is committed to simplifying Medicare for all.