Trends in Consumer-Centered Medicare Benefits

A few short years ago, few could have predicted the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic would transform our world, including how we deliver healthcare services and value for the larger healthcare system. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual and remote care platforms that help people live healthier lives outside a brick-and-mortar doctor’s office.

In our post-pandemic marketplace, Medicare beneficiaries are increasingly choosing Medicare Advantage plans that offer patient-centered care and innovative programs that can help beneficiaries live healthier lives. In fact, nearly half of all people eligible for Medicare in 2022 chose a Medicare Advantage plan.

Study-after-study shows that Medicare Advantage plans are providing higher quality care, superior flexibility and cost savings, both to the beneficiary and the health system. In fact, a recent study by ATI Advisory found that “Medicare Advantage beneficiaries report saving more than $2,400 annually on outof-pocket costs and premiums compared to Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries.” 

As more and more people come to understand the value of whole-person, innovative care provided by Medicare Advantage plans, here are three important trends in Medicare benefits to watch:

1.Flexibility in Accessing Care: Stakeholders need to continue to find ways to meet people when and where they need care, and to partner with individuals to support a healthier lifestyle, which may result in fewer hospitalizations and readmissions.

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer remote and in-home care options like telehealth services and 24-hour nurse phone lines. In 2022 UnitedHealthcare completed over 1.8 million inhome visits through its HouseCalls program.

HouseCalls is a yearly, in-home health and wellness clinical service — a check-in care visit that comes as a health plan feature, at no additional cost with many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. The visit helps members stay on top of their health and well-being between doctor appointments.

During the visit, a licensed practitioner will review an individual’s medical history, answer questions, perform a physical exam and offer certain health screenings. These visits also give HouseCalls licensed health care professionals the opportunity to assess the social, emotional and environmental needs of a member that usually cannot be assessed in a clinic setting.

2. Fitness Benefits to Drive Better Health: It’s well-established that physical activity like walking, yoga and going to a fitness center has many health benefits for older adults. These include better sleep, less anxiety and reduced risk of heart disease, along with many other benefits that may improve overall health. A new study even shows that physical activity can help older adults feel less alone and socially isolated, as well as positively increase their feelings of resilience and purpose.

There are many ways older adults can get the exercise they need. For UnitedHealthcare Medicare members with Renew Active® – the gold standard in Medicare fitness programs for body and mind – resources are available to help keep members on track with their health and wellness.

3. Dental, Hearing, and Vision: One of the selling points for Medicare Advantage plans is their coverage of routine dental, hearing, and vision benefits. Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care unless it’s linked to a serious health issues.

We can expect to see care models increasingly place people at the center and implement strategies to help achieve better health outcomes. For Medicare beneficiaries, this translates to more consumer-centered offerings, a better patient experience, flexibility in how and where they receive care, and more options when it comes to value and cost.