New Survey Offers Important Insights into How Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Use and Value Their Supplemental Benefits
A recent study conducted by Humana Healthcare Research, with strategic input from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, reveals key insights into how Medicare Advantage beneficiaries perceive and engage with their supplemental benefits. Results indicate the majority of respondents highly value the benefits they use and agreed supplemental benefits could improve health and save individuals money.
Nearly 6,000 beneficiaries receiving care under Humana Medicare Advantage health plans with supplemental benefits participated in the survey, representing a robust sample for this patient-centered research.
The results highlighted four principal insights into the use and value of supplemental benefits:
- More than 90 percent of participants agreed or strongly agreed that these benefits can improve health and save individuals money;
- Beneficiaries who reported using their supplemental benefits reported finding them highly valuable;
- Among those who did not use a supplemental benefit, the most common reason cited for not using it was not needing it during the plan year, indicating that non-use was primarily driven by lack of need rather than barriers or lack of awareness; and
- There are opportunities for health plans to improve the user experience by addressing limitations in how benefits are communicated and offered.
"We were struck by how deeply Medicare Advantage beneficiaries value their supplemental benefits, which underscores their importance to the health and well-being of our members," said Missy Caple, Vice President of Medicare Product Development at Humana. "These survey results also bring attention to the evolving priorities within the Medicare population and the importance of providing clear communication throughout the beneficiary experience."
"Given the rapid growth of Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits in recent years, policymakers need better insight into how MA members use and value them," said Eric Roberts, Associate Professor at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "Surveys like this are a key step toward that understanding and lay the groundwork for future studies evaluating their impact on member outcomes."
In 2025, 54% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries, approximately 34.1 million people, were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan including supplemental benefits. Supplemental benefits offered through Medicare Advantage plans have long included a variety of options, such as dental, vision, and hearing benefits, in addition to services like non-emergency transportation, wellness programs, over-the-counter medications, and grocery financial assistance.
The survey offered insights into the most and least frequently utilized supplemental benefits, dove into which benefits were highly valued when used, and studied why certain benefits were used less often. Findings suggest that while not all beneficiaries use every benefit, they are highly valued and needed by those who use them.
Access the full survey white paper here to learn more about the survey methodology, beneficiary responses, and opportunities for Medicare Advantage plans to enhance beneficiary awareness, usability, and coverage of benefit offerings.
About Humana
Humana Inc. is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers, and our company. Through our Humana insurance services, and our CenterWell health care services, we strive to make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.
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