Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits Are Associated with Improved Health Quality
Use of Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits—specifically food and transportation benefits—was associated with improved healthcare quality across all evaluated quality measures, including those related to diabetes and cardiovascular disease management. The strongest associations were observed among food benefit users, suggesting meaningful links between nutrition support and chronic disease management.
MA plans have increasingly offered non-medical supplemental benefits such as grocery cards and transportation support, often through the MA Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model. These benefits aim to address social drivers of health and are particularly meaningful for dual-eligible beneficiaries who may face complex medical needs and socioeconomic barriers to accessing care.
This analysis of dual eligible special needs plan enrollees suggests that preserving MA plans’ flexibility to offer non-medical benefits can enhance care access and chronic disease outcomes. Further, as the VBID model concludes at the end of 2025, this study provides timely insights into the value of VBID-enabled benefits and highlights the potential impact of their discontinuation.
Related Public Policy Research
Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits and Improved Healthcare Use
Under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, private plans can offer additional benefits not covered by traditional Medicare known as supplemental benefits. This paper examines the association between supplemental benefit use and healthcare utilization among non-dual eligible and dual eligible MA members.
Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits Address Health-Related Social Needs
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offer additional benefits not covered by traditional Medicare known as supplemental benefits. This paper examines the use of supplemental benefits overall and by demographic characteristics of MA members, demonstrating that supplemental benefits can address health-related social needs.
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans provide enrollees a valuable alternative to Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) by offering out-of-pocket cost protections, additional benefits, and innovative strategies for care management and coordination.
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