AHIP believes that all Medicare-eligible Americans should be treated equally with regard to the fee-for-service benefits. We look forward to engaging with Congress on any detailed proposals to add dental, hearing and vision benefits to original Medicare that equally meets the needs of all beneficiaries, both those receiving benefits under original Medicare and those who chose Medicare Advantage.
Today, 98% of people eligible for Medicare have access to an MA plan offering dental, vision and hearing coverage. And it’s important to remember that MA covers more racially diverse populations than traditional Medicare, and 57% of enrollees are women. Approximately 40% of MA enrollees make less than $25,000 per year, and around 9 million have an income below 200% of the federal poverty level.