Social Security users are in for a treat: Medicare Advantage plans have expanded so much that they’re now covering all kinds of surprising perks, from golf fees to pet food, under the banner of health benefits.
What started as a way to make Medicare more cost-effective by involving private insurers has morphed into a program dishing out unexpected extras to keep enrollees healthier, happier, and surprisingly pampered.
Originally launched to reduce costs, Medicare Advantage first offeredsic add-ons like dental and vision coverage. But in 2018 lawmakers broadened the rules, allowing “supplemental benefits” that “reasonably improve or maintain health.” This loose definition paved the way for covering greens fees at country clubs (because walking a course boosts fitness), ski passesses (fresh-air therapy for mental health), hunting licenses (outdoor recreation), and even pet food and supplies (supportingonal well-being).
That means your plan might now pick up the tab for a round of golf or kitty litter, as long as it ties back, however loosely, to physical or mental health. Tremendous for beneficiaries, right? But these perks have driven up costs. Younger, healthier folks are signing up and using few medical services, while overpayments for low-cost enrollees balloon. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission warns plans are now paid 120% of estimated costs, up from 112% in 2015, and overpayments have soared from $18 billion to $77 billion a year. Eventually, that extra spending trickles down into higher premiums or tighter coverage for everyone.
| Perk | Rationale | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Golf Fees | Encourages cardio exercise | Greens fees, clubs rental |
| Ski Passes | Outdoor activity for mental health | Mountain resort day passes |
| Pet Food & Supplies | Emotional support & companionship | Dog food, cat litter, pet meds |
| Social Club Fees | Social interaction improves mood | Community center dues |
| Hunting Licenses | Recreational stress relief | State hunting permits |
Why Costs Are Rising
• Overpayments: Medicare Advantage now pays plans more than actual costs, leading to a projected $1 trillion taxpayer burden over 10 years.
• Enrollment Shift: Younger, low-cost enrollees skew risk pools, forcing premiums up for sicker members.
• Benefit Creep: Every new “health-related” perk adds incremental expenses that plans pass on eventually.
Supplementing Your Retirement
With Social Security’s future uncertain and Medicare Advantage expenses climbing, experts urge building personal savings:
- 401(k) Plans: Employer-sponsored, tax-deferred accounts. Aim to max out contributions and grab every dollar of employer match.
- IRAs: Individual Retirement Accounts not tied to employers,ing tax-deductible contributions and flexible investment choices.
Whether it’s scoring free golf or covering Fido’s kibble, these new surprising perks show Medicare Advantage has one mission, to keep beneficiaries healthier in unconventional ways. Just remember: every green fee and pet treat has a price tag, and that tab may affect your wallet (or your children’s) down the road.
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