Medicare Advantage Plans Cleared To Go Beyond Medical Coverage — Even Groceries

By Susan Jaffe  | Kaiser Health News | April 3, 2018 | This KHN story also ran on 

Air conditioners for people with asthma, healthy groceries, rides to medical appointments and home-delivered meals may be among the new benefits added to Medicare Advantage [private insurance] coverage when new federal rules take effect next year. 

The Institute for Aging in San Francisco helps seniors get to doctor appointments and social activities. (Photo/Susan Jaffe)

…But patient advocates including David Lipschutz. senior policy attorney at the Center for Medicare Advocacy, are concerned about those who may be left behind. “It’s great for the people in Medicare Advantage plans, but what about the majority of the people who are in traditional Medicare?” he asked. “As we tip the scales more in favor of Medicare Advantage, it’s to the detriment of people in traditional Medicare.”  [Continued at Kaiser Health News,  The Philadelphia Inquirer,  The Washington Post and CNN Money]