Medicare Users Are Leaving Billions of Dollars of Benefits Unused

Millions of Americans using one of the Medicare programs may be leaving billions of dollars worth of benefits unused— benefits which would allow the seniors to purchase a huge range of supplies free of charge.

Those using the Medicare Advantage (MA) program have access to "over the counter" benefits, also known as OTC benefits. Dr. Mark Fendrick, a professor in the Division of General Medicine, and a professor of health management and policy at the University of Michigan, told Newsweek that around 87 percent of MA plans offer some kind of OTC benefit, citing a report by the consulting firm Milliman.

Why It Matters

In a landscape of rising inflation and increasing costs of groceries, health care , utilities and more, these benefits could provide financial support for millions of