Medicare Benefits Going to Waste? How the New Mid-Year Statement Can Help

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, there’s a good chance you’re not using all the benefits that come with it. But starting in 2026, that might be about to change.

A new rule from CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) means you’ll get a mid-year statement in the mail that tells you exactly which supplemental benefits you haven’t used yet this year—and how to start using them.

Here’s what that means for you, why it matters, and how it could help you get more value (and support) out of your plan.

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What’s This New Letter and Why Am I Getting It?

Starting in 2026, Medicare Advantage plans will be required to send out a personalized Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Available Supplemental Benefits each year between June 30 and July 31.

This new rule is part of a bigger effort to make sure people actually use the benefits they’re paying for.

This letter will show you:

• Which extra benefits (called “supplemental benefits”) you haven’t used in the first half of the year
• A simple explanation of what each benefit is for
• How to use them
• Any costs involved (if there are any)
• Who to call if you need help

Think of it like a friendly reminder from your health plan saying, “Hey, you’ve still got these benefits available—don’t forget to use them!”

What Are These “Extra Benefits,” Anyway?

In addition to basic medical care, many Medicare Advantage plans offer extra perks that are designed to help with your everyday health and well-being.

Some common examples include:

• Over-the-counter allowances for things like cold medicine or bandages
• Dental, vision, or hearing services
• Transportation to doctor’s appointments
• Grocery or meal delivery
• Fitness memberships
• Even things like pest control or home safety equipment in some cases

Why Do So Many People Miss Out?

These are valuable benefits. But there are a few reasons people may not be using them:

• They don’t know what’s included. The information can be buried in long documents full of fine print.
• They’re unsure how to access the benefits. Some perks require phone calls, apps, or third-party vendors.
• They assume it’s not worth the hassle. But often, it’s easier than you think—and the value can be real.

That’s why this new mid-year letter is such a big deal. It’s a big step toward making health plans more transparent, and it can help you understand and use the benefits you already have.

What Should You Do When You Get It?

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Open the letter when it arrives. Don’t toss it with the junk mail! Keep an eye out for something from Medicare labeled “Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Available Supplemental Benefits.”
2. Review your unused benefits. See what benefits you still have available, and what might help improve your health or make life easier.
3. Call your agent or plan. If anything is unclear or you’re not sure how to get started, reach out. This is exactly what your Sams/Hockaday agent is here for!
4. Take advantage of what’s offered. You paid into Medicare, and you deserve to use the services that come with it.

Why This Letter Matters

Medicare Advantage plans are funded in part by taxpayer dollars. In fact, in 2024 alone, $67 billion was allocated specifically for MA supplemental benefits. 

That money is meant to directly support the health and well-being of people like you.

When those benefits aren’t used, those funds don’t go where they should. This new notification letter helps fix that. 

It’s a step toward more transparency and a simple way to make sure that support actually reaches the people it was meant for.

The Bottom Line

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, don’t let your benefits go to waste.

The new mid-year letter is a helpful tool to make sure you’re not missing out on the support you deserve. 

Keep an eye out for it in your mailbox starting in 2026, and if you’re not sure what to do with it, call your Sams/Hockaday agent and we’ll be happy to walk you through it.