What Is the Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Available Supplemental Benefits?
Key Takeaways
- Starting in 2025, people on Medicare Advantage plans receive the Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Available Supplemental Benefits between June 30 and July 31.
- This notification will inform you of any additional benefits available from your plan that you haven’t used so far that year.
- Based on this document, you can make decisions about using your benefits and evaluate whether your plan still meets your needs.
Are you leaving money on the table by not using your Medicare Advantage plan benefits to the fullest?
Medicare Advantage plans (also called Medicare Part C) substitute for federally administered Original Medicare (also called Medicare Part A and Part B) healthcare coverage. Most Medicare consumers enroll in these plans from private insurance carriers because they can offer additional benefits. Most Medicare Advantage plans feature coverage and services that go beyond the standard medical and hospital insurance provided under Original Medicare.
As of 2025, people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will receive a document called the Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Available Supplemental Benefits. This notification reminds you of the additional benefits you can access as part of your current plan. Let’s look at how you can use this information to make the most of your health insurance.
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Additional Benefits on Medicare Advantage Plans
All Medicare Advantage plans differ in the benefits they offer, and plan eligibility depends on where you live and your personal situation. However, most available options include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage — which people on Original Medicare must purchase as a standalone plan — and at least some other benefits not included in Original Medicare.
According to the health policy nonprofit KFF, the most common types of extra benefits in 2024 were:
- Vision, such as eye exams and glasses
- Dental services like cleanings and x-rays
- Hearing tests and hearing aids
- Gym memberships and fitness classes
- An allowance for over-the-counter items
The details of these benefits vary from plan to plan, so check your policy for information about the services available and whether you’re responsible for a share of the costs when you use them.
Why Did You Receive a Mid-Year Enrollee Notification?
People on Medicare Advantage frequently don’t use all the benefits that their plans offer. A study conducted from 2017 to 2021 found that only about 54% of enrollees were aware of their dental and vision coverage.
To address that disconnect, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) established a policy that requires Medicare Advantage plans to mail a Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Unused Supplemental Benefits to their enrollees.
If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll receive this document every year between June 30 and July 31 with personalized information like:
- A list of any benefits you haven’t used during the first six months of the year
- Details about how the benefit works and any costs you must pay to use it
- A customer service phone number you can call with questions or concerns
The notification provides visibility into how you’re using your Medicare Advantage benefits so you can get all the care you need.
Ready for a new Medicare Advantage plan?
Do You Have the Right Benefits for Your Needs?
When you receive your mid-year notification, it’s a good time to evaluate whether your Medicare Advantage plan benefits still meet your needs. With dozens of plans available to the average Medicare-eligible adult, you might find that an alternative plan provides more of the coverage you need or costs less for those services.
Talk to a licensed insurance agent to explore whether there’s a better Medicare Advantage plan for you. You can change plans every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7), or you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to certain life events or changes in your coverage.
If you meet eligibility requirements, consider enrolling in a Special Needs Plan (SNP) to get benefits designed for people in certain situations. For example, a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP) can offer coordinated care, drug coverage, and additional benefits specifically tailored to people living with a condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or COPD.
The Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Available Supplemental Benefits reminds you of all your plan’s features and the importance of routine services. Make the most of this opportunity to reflect on your healthcare.