Supplemental Benefits for Chronic Conditions

Medicare Advantage plans can cover supplemental benefits that are not primarily health-related for beneficiaries who have chronic illnesses. These are sometimes called Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI). SSBCI can address social determinants of health for people with chronic disease. A social determinant of health is a part of someone’s life that can affect their health in some way, such as not having access to transportation. Examples of the kind of benefits that plans can cover are:

• Meal delivery
• Transportation for nonmedical needs
• Home air cleaners
• Pest control
• Heart-healthy food or produce

To be eligible, you must be chronically ill. If you meet the criteria, a Medicare Advantage plan may offer you one of these benefits. If you want to make a change this year, please remember that Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7. You can call the DeKalb County Council on Aging at 256-845-8590 and make an appointment with Lynn Hixon with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for help comparing plans.