This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything through these affiliated links, the author/website may earn a commission.
Quick Read
- Medicare Advantage benefits have changed: Some plans reduced or eliminated grocery allowances, OTC spending cards, transportation assistance, and home safety benefits in 2026.
- The financial impact can add up: Losing several supplemental benefits could leave retirees paying hundreds or even more than $1,000 annually out of pocket.
- Review your 2027 coverage before December 7: Compare your plan’s benefits, eligibility requirements, prescription costs, and doctor networks to avoid unexpected expenses.
- Get free help comparing Medicare plans: Chapter can review your Medicare options, help identify potential savings, and check whether your current plan still meets your needs. Call (864) 668-3280 for a free, no-pressure consultation.
That grocery allowance, over-the-counter spending card, or transportation benefit you’ve relied on for years might not be included in your Medicare Advantage plan anymore. For some retirees, these changes have meant paying out of pocket for everyday essentials that their insurance previously helped cover. And with another coverage year approaching, beneficiaries could face additional changes in 2027.
The shift follows the expiration of a federal Medicare pilot program and broader changes in the supplemental benefits offered by private insurers. According to research from KFF, fewer Medicare Advantage plans offered certain benefits in 2026, including allowances for over-the-counter products, meal assistance, transportation, and bathroom safety equipment.
However, these benefits haven’t disappeared entirely. Whether you qualify depends on your specific insurance plan, eligibility requirements, and the benefits available in your area.
Here are five categories worth checking before Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7.
Why Some Medicare Advantage Benefits Changed in 2026
One major development was the expiration of Medicare’s Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model on December 31, 2025. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the program allowed participating Medicare Advantage plans to test additional benefits and cost-sharing arrangements for certain beneficiaries, including people with low incomes and complex healthcare needs. CMS ended the model after determining that it generated substantial additional costs for Medicare’s trust funds, including an estimated $2.3 billion in 2021 and $2.2 billion in 2022. Although some insurers adjusted their supplemental benefits following the program’s termination, Medicare Advantage plans can still offer qualifying supplemental benefits outside VBID. That means losing a benefit isn’t necessarily permanent, but beneficiaries need to examine their individual plan documents to determine what remains available.
1. Grocery Allowances and Healthy Food Benefits
For some seniors, monthly grocery allowances have helped offset the rising cost of food, particularly for households managing chronic illnesses or limited retirement income. However, these benefits are not guaranteed under Medicare Advantage, and eligibility can depend on specific medical and plan requirements. Under Medicare’s Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) program, qualifying plans may provide food and produce benefits to eligible beneficiaries whose chronic conditions meet federal criteria and whose health or function could reasonably improve through the benefit. According to KFF’s 2026 analysis, food and produce benefits remained available in many Special Needs Plans, although eligibility and spending allowances varied. A retiree who previously received $75 monthly toward groceries could face an additional $900 in annual food expenses if that allowance disappears, making it important to verify both the benefit amount and qualification rules for 2027.
2. Over-the-Counter Medications and Wellness Products
Over-the-counter allowances have traditionally helped Medicare Advantage members purchase everyday healthcare products such as pain relievers, allergy medications, first-aid supplies, and certain vitamins. However, the percentage of individual Medicare Advantage plans offering OTC allowances declined from 73% in 2025 to 66% in 2026. Even when a plan continues offering an OTC benefit, insurers may change the spending allowance, approved product list, participating retailers, or frequency of payments. For example, someone who previously received $50 every quarter could lose access to $200 in annual purchasing assistance if their new plan eliminates that benefit entirely. Before purchasing vitamins, supplements, or other health products, check your insurer’s current OTC catalog because coverage restrictions differ by plan and not every product qualifies.
3. Bathroom Safety Equipment and Fall-Prevention Products
Grab bars, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, and other bathroom safety products can help older adults remain independent while reducing certain household hazards. Unfortunately, fewer Special Needs Plans offered bathroom safety benefits in 2026, with availability falling from 54% of plans in 2025 to 47% in 2026. That doesn’t mean Medicare has eliminated coverage for all safety-related medical equipment, because medically necessary durable medical equipment may still qualify under separate Medicare coverage rules. However, common household modifications and convenience items are not automatically covered, potentially leaving seniors responsible for installation and equipment expenses. If your plan no longer pays for bathroom safety products, ask your insurer which items remain eligible and whether your doctor can help identify covered equipment appropriate for your medical needs.
4. Transportation to Medical Appointments
Transportation assistance can be particularly valuable for retirees who no longer drive or live in communities with limited public transit. Some Medicare Advantage plans provide rides to doctors’ appointments, pharmacies, or other approved healthcare destinations, but the availability of these benefits declined in 2026. The share of individual Medicare Advantage plans offering medical transportation fell from 30% in 2025 to 24% in 2026. A beneficiary who previously received free transportation to monthly specialist appointments might now need to pay for rides independently, potentially adding hundreds of dollars to annual healthcare expenses. Before changing plans, verify the number of covered trips, mileage restrictions, scheduling requirements, and whether transportation to pharmacies or nonmedical destinations is included.
5. In-Home Support and Nonmedical Assistance
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental services intended to help older adults remain safely in their homes, including limited in-home support, assistance with daily activities, and certain services addressing social needs. However, these benefits vary considerably, and coverage for services such as housekeeping, grocery assistance, or nonmedical transportation should never be assumed. Interestingly, KFF’s 2026 research found that the share of Special Needs Plans offering in-home support services actually increased from 17% in 2025 to 25% in 2026, even as some other supplemental benefits became less common. This means the broader picture is more complicated than a nationwide elimination of assistance, with some plans expanding services while others reduce or modify benefits. Seniors who depend on help with everyday activities should review their plan’s specific eligibility requirements, service limits, and approved providers before assuming assistance will continue into 2027.
A Lost Benefit Could Quietly Increase Your Annual Expenses
Supplemental benefits may seem small individually, but losing several at once can create meaningful financial pressure. Consider a hypothetical retiree who previously received $75 monthly for groceries, $50 quarterly for OTC purchases, and $25 monthly in transportation assistance. If all three benefits disappeared, that person could face approximately $1,400 in additional annual expenses to replace the same level of assistance. These costs generally fall outside Medicare Part D’s $2,100 out-of-pocket threshold for covered prescription drugs in 2026, which increases to $2,400 in 2027, according to Medicare.gov. For seniors on fixed incomes, comparing the full value of supplemental benefits can be just as important as examining premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs.
How to Check Your Benefits Before 2027 Coverage Begins
Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, giving eligible beneficiaries an opportunity to review coverage options for the following year. Start by examining your plan’s Annual Notice of Change, Evidence of Coverage, and supplemental benefits information to identify anything being reduced, discontinued, or subjected to new eligibility requirements. Use the official Medicare Plan Finder to compare available plans, paying attention to prescription costs, doctor networks, premiums, and supplemental benefits rather than selecting coverage based on advertised extras alone. If a benefit requires documentation of a qualifying chronic condition, contact your insurer to determine what medical verification is necessary and whether your healthcare provider needs to supply additional information. Beneficiaries can also receive free, unbiased assistance through their State Health Insurance Assistance Program or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
Worried Your Medicare Plan Is Costing You More in 2027?
Medicare plans change every year, and the coverage that worked for you in 2026 might not be your best option for 2027. Our trusted partner, Chapter, offers free, no-pressure consultations with licensed Medicare advisors who can help you compare your options.
Chapter can help you check whether your doctors are in-network, review prescription costs, and identify benefits you may be missing. Already on the right plan? They’ll tell you that, too.
Call Chapter at (864) 668-3280 for a FREE Medicare plan review.
No cost. No pressure. Just help finding the right coverage.
Chapter is a licensed insurance agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or the federal government. Plan availability and eligibility vary.
Don’t Let Missing Benefits Become a Budget Surprise
The expiration of the VBID model and changes in Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits have created new considerations for retirees reviewing their insurance coverage. While grocery allowances, OTC benefits, transportation assistance, and certain home safety services became less widely available in 2026, many plans continue offering these benefits to eligible members. The financial consequences of losing even a modest monthly allowance can add up over an entire year, particularly for households already struggling with healthcare and living expenses. Before December 7, compare your expected 2027 costs and benefits carefully, and remember that a plan offering more supplemental perks isn’t necessarily the best choice if it has higher medical costs or excludes your preferred doctors. A careful review now could help you avoid paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket for services and products you previously received through your insurance.
Have you noticed changes to your Medicare Advantage grocery card, OTC allowance, transportation benefits, or home assistance in 2026? Are you concerned about losing additional benefits in 2027? Share your experiences in the comments.
You May Also Like…
8 Insurance Deductibles That Quietly Reset Higher Than Last Year
7 Medical Supplies Insurance Stops Covering After the Calendar Resets
Stop the Aging Trap: A Doctor’s 4-Step Guide to Protecting Your Joints
9 Medical Expenses You Can Write Off Without a Doctor’s Note
Your Health Insurance Might Deny Claims Based on AI Screening
