Medicare Advantage Essential Extras
Special no-cost Medicare Advantage benefits
supporting your health, comfort and convenience
When it comes to finding the right Medicare Advantage plan, there’s a lot to consider. That includes selecting a plan to meet your health needs and budget, with the right coverage and support.
The good news is that Medicare Advantage plans from Empire bring you all of the above features and more. And that adds up to greater value for your health care dollar.
A whole-health approach to wellbeing
At Empire, we take a broad approach to supporting our members’ health. That means addressing a wide range of health-related considerations, including comfort and convenience to make everyday life easier. The result is comprehensive wellbeing benefits and support that help members live longer, healthier lives. That’s where Essential Extras comes in.
Essential Extras benefits
Created exclusively for Medicare Advantage members, our innovative Essential Extras provide valuable, no-cost benefits to enhance quality of life and health outcomes. Members can customize their approach to whole health improvement by choosing up to two of the following Essential Extras benefits, depending on their plan:*
Assistive Devices – up to $500 per year for assistive and safety devices, such as handrails, shower stools, raised toilet seats and temporary mobility ramps
Flex Account Dental, Vision, Hearing – up to $500 per year in additional coverage for your dental, vision, or hearing needs. You decide how to spend the annual allowance, towards out-of-pocket costs or additional services
Healthy Groceries – up to $50 per month for the purchase of health grocery items such as fresh meats and vegetables, frozen meats, dairy items, canned goods, and more at participating stores near you
In-Home Support – up to 60 hours per year of companionship plus assistance with light chores, errands, tech support, and medication reminders
Transportation - up to 60 one-way trips per year to plan approved locations such as pharmacies and health-related appointments
Flex Account Utilities - up to $50 per month spending allowance toward the payment of household utilities including gas, electric, water, or sewer. It can also be used with your internet and cellular providers
* Essential Extras is not available with all Medicare Advantage plans. For some plans, the member or their doctor needs to confirm the benefit is appropriate for his or her care. Unused benefits do not roll over monthly or annually.
Learn more
For more information on our Medicare Advantage plans, or to purchase a plan that meets your needs and add Essential Extras, visit the Medicare Online Store.
Current members: log in to the secure member portal to view your Medicare Advantage plan benefit information, then view and select Essential Extras benefits available under your plan.
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Does Medicare cover Dental?
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Medicare Advantage Vs Original Medicare
Why Choose Empire?
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
Essential Extras
Medicare Advantage Plan Options
What Is Original Medicare Part A And Part B?
What is Medicare Part D?
Empire BlueCross BlueShield is a Medicare Advantage plan with a Medicare contract. Empire BlueCross BlueShield is a SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Empire BlueCross BlueShield depends on contract renewal.