7 Hidden Medicare Perks—from Free Rides to Gym Memberships—That Could Save You Thousands
Medicare covers more than you think! Unlock 7 surprising money-saving senior perks now.
Most seniors know that Medicare covers medical expenses like prescriptions, outpatient procedures, vaccines and more. What many don’t know is that there are several hidden Medicare benefits, including perks like a free gym membership and nutrition counseling. Below, we share seven surprising Medicare benefits and offer details on how seniors can cash in!
7 surprising Medicare benefits for seniors
To learn the surprising expenses Medicare covers, see the list below.
Free car rides to doctors’ visits
According to Whitney Stidom, vice president of consumer enablement at the online health insurance marketplace eHealth, many Medicare Advantage plans cover car rides to and from the doctor if the beneficiary is no longer able to drive.
“Some plans may require advance notice (typically 48 to 72 hours) and require the use of a specific transportation company,” Stidom notes.
To view the details on what each plan will cover, click here.
If your plan doesn’t cover it, cancer patients can take advantage of this free service offered through the American Cancer Society.
Free food and other extras for people with certain chronic conditions
Medicare Advantage plan users with a severe or disabling chronic condition such as diabetes, heart failure or lung disorders can get access to healthy foods if they buy them using a prepaid debit card, transportation and more under the Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
“These plans often go beyond basic extras and can include things like healthy food or produce cards, help with transportation for medical appointments, in-home support services, caregiver support and even help with housing,” says Mikel Daniels, DPM, MBA, FACFAS, president and chief medical officer at WeTreatFeet Podiatry. “If patients qualify, they can enroll in a SNP during an eligible enrollment period. Most have a plan care coordinator or case manager, who can help walk them through the process on how to order food benefits, schedule rides or get home-based help.”
Free gym memberships and fitness programs
According toMedicare.Gov, some Medicare Advantage Plans cover gym memberships and fitness programs like SilverSneakers. To enroll in one of those programs, surf over to Medicare Plan Finder and enter your ZIP code to find a plan. From there, scroll down to Extra Benefits and see the fitness programs covered under that plan.
Free vaccines, screenings and more
According to Daniels, “preventive services are one of the most underrated Medicare perks.”
“This is for services including an annual wellness visit, many vaccines, cancer screenings and cardiovascular checks,” he continues. “For this service to be used, call the primary care office and schedule your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (not a regular physical). Ask them what screenings you’re due for under Medicare. The main restriction is that not every test under the sun is free. Medicare has specific approved screenings and timing rules (for example, every 12 or 24 months for some tests.”
Free visits with a nutritionist
For people enrolled in Medicare Part B, three hours of medical nutrition therapy services are covered. During that time, Medicare users will get an initial nutrition and lifestyle assessment from a registered dietitian, along with nutritional therapy services and followup visits. They will also get help managing lifestyle factors that affect their health, according to Medicare.Gov.
Dental, vision and hearing coverage
According to Stidom, most Medicare Advantage plans will help cover dental, vision and hearing coverage.
“That’s important because healthy teeth, eyes and ears all contribute to overall well-being. For instance, routine dental exams can help prevent or treat gum disease, which is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, dementia and cancer,” she says.
To enroll in dental, vision and hearing coverage, see what Medicare Advantage plans in their area cover these services, which you can do here. From there, Medicare users must select that plan during the open enrollment period.
Caps on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs
Starting in 2026, the cost of prescription drugs will be capped at $2,100 a year, says Daniels.
“This can be life-changing if patients are on expensive medications,” he explains. “This is not a benefit to ‘apply’ for. Patients just need to be enrolled in a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage. Make sure the plan tracks spending automatically.”
One caveat: “This protection only applies to drugs on a plan’s formulary,” says Daniels. “It only counts true out-of-pocket costs, so if the drug isn’t covered, or the patient uses a discount card, that doesn’t count toward the cap.”
Still, even with that restriction Medicare users can use this benefit to save money and get the prescriptions they need.
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