It is easy to get overwhelmed by your choices for Medicare coverage, and the expansion of possible benefits under Medicare Advantage plans have made decisions about coverage even more complicated.<\/p>\n
Currently, consumers have two major Medicare coverage options:<\/strong><\/p>\n Medicare Advantage plans have recently generated more attention because for the second year in a row the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that these plans will be able to increase their benefits. Specifically, starting in 2020, Medicare Advantage plans can cover benefits that have a reasonable expectation of improving or maintaining the health or overall function of beneficiaries with chronic conditions.\u00a0 In 2018, CMS announced it was for the first time adding non-medical in-home care as a supplemental benefit.\u00a0 Some of these added benefits include expanded home meal deliveries, transportation and even some housecleaning. The goal is ultimately to give providers more opportunities to innovate and find ways to keep beneficiaries healthy and out of the hospital.<\/p>\n Transportation is one area where Medicare Advantage plans have expanded opportunities to provide benefits, and rideshare companies are taking notice of opportunities to service Medicare clients under these plans.\u00a0 Lyft is establishing partnerships with Medicare Advantage providers and has been partnered with CareMore since 2016.\u00a0 Lyft\u2019s success with CareMore has led CareMore to book 90% of needed non-emergency transportation through Lyft.\u00a0 Through its experience with CareMore, Lyft updated its platform to allow the partner insurer or provider to call a ride directly for the beneficiary in case they do not have a smartphone or know how to use Lyft\u2019s app themselves.<\/p>\n Given the opportunities to add additional benefits to these plans are so new, however, many policies have not incorporated them yet.\u00a0 For example, according to AARP, just 3% of Medicare Advantage plans offered in-home support services such as personal care or housekeeping in 2019.<\/p>\n As Medicare Advantage providers begin to implement new benefits, it is important to evaluate your insurance options during each Medicare enrollment period.\u00a0 Additionally, even with expanded benefits, it is still crucial to plan for long-term care<\/a>.\u00a0 Private long-term care insurance, private paying, and Medi-Cal will still be the primary sources for paying for long-term care,<\/a> not Medicare.<\/p>\n\n
Added Transportation Benefits for Medicare Advantage<\/strong><\/h2>\n