How payers compare on Medicare Advantage over-the-counter benefits

More than four in five Medicare Advantage enrollees receive some kind of over-the-counter benefits, according to an analysis from Kaiser Family Foundation. 

The report, published Nov. 16, compared the types of benefits the largest Medicare Advantage plans provide. Almost every plan offers vision, hearing, dental and fitness benefits, other services vary widely between plans. 

Over-the-counter assistance was the most common benefit offered outside of vision, hearing, dental and fitness. Overall, 84 percent of members are offered some benefits for over-the-counter products in their plans. 

Here's how the largest payers stacked up in KFF's analysis: 

1. Humana — 97 percent of enrollees have over-the-counter benefits
2. Cigna — 93 percent of enrollees have over-the-counter benefits 
3. Kaiser Permanente — 90 percent of enrollees have over-the-counter benefits 
4. Centene — 88 percent of enrollees have over-the-counter benefits 
5. CVS Health — 81 percent of enrollees have over-the-counter benefits 
6. UnitedHealthcare — 80 percent of enrollees have over-the-counter benefits.
7. Blue Cross Blue Shield — 73 percent of enrollees have over-the-counter benefits