Private Medicare Insurers Pressed for Details on Added Benefits

Medicare is moving to solve the mystery of how much the program’s managed care plans actually spend to provide supplemental benefits that are partially funded by, but not available to, beneficiaries in traditional Medicare.

Private Medicare Advantage plans, which now cover more than half of eligible beneficiaries, this year are expected to receive $83 billion in government payments, or “rebates,” that fund a variety of supplemental benefits, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.

These benefits typically include hearing, vision, dental, and other medical services. They can also include nonmedical assistance like food, transportation and housing support services. Often offered ...