It’s Time to Talk with Your Parents Again About Medicare Advantage

Matt Gerrell

Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

Founder / President Gerrell Collective

The new year is a natural reset. Calendars turn over, routines re-start, and for many families, it’s also the right moment to check in on something easy to overlook once enrollment season ends: how well your parents are actually using their Medicare Advantage plan.

Most conversations about Medicare happen in the fall. That makes sense. But January and February are when the real value of a plan gets realized or missed.

Step One: Review the Benefits They Already Have

Many Medicare Advantage members don’t fully understand everything included in their plan.

Not because they aren’t capable, but because benefits are layered, detailed, and often explained once and forgotten.

Start by helping your parents answer a few simple questions:

• Do they know what preventive visits are covered at no cost?

• Do they understand how referrals, labs, and imaging work under their plan?

• Do they know which doctors are in-network this year?

Even if nothing changed during open enrollment, provider networks and utilization rules can shift year to year. A quick review now can prevent confusion and unexpected bills.

Step Two: Schedule Routine Appointments Early

This one matters more every year.

Physician offices are booking further out than ever. Primary care, cardiology, dermatology, imaging centers, and even routine labs are often scheduled months in advance.

Encourage your parents to schedule now:

• Annual wellness visits

• Routine bloodwork

• Chronic condition check-ins

• Preventive screenings and diagnostic tests

Waiting until “later in the year” often turns into rushed scheduling or missed appointments altogether. Getting on the calendar early creates flexibility and reduces stress.

Step Three: Don’t Leave Preventive Care on the Table

Medicare Advantage plans strongly emphasize prevention, but many members don’t realize how much is included until someone points it out.

This can include:

• Annual wellness visits

• Preventive screenings

• Disease management programs

• Health risk assessments

These aren’t just box-checking exercises. They often drive earlier detection, better care coordination, and smoother approvals when additional services are needed.

Step Four: Ask About Perks and Incentives

Here’s the part most people miss. Health Insurance companies file incentives with their plans which their members can receive gift cards and other perks, however many members don't know of these and never use them.

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer extra perks tied to preventive actions, and they don’t always advertise them loudly.

Examples can include:

• Gift cards for completing a Comprehensive Health Assessment

• Incentives for completing a diabetic eye exam

• Rewards for annual wellness visits or preventive screenings

• Money for groceries, pet food, even toilet paper

• Free exercise/preventative equipment for your home, such as walking sticks, stretch bands, etc.

• Reimbursement for gym membership or wellness technology

These incentives vary by plan. The only way to know what’s available is to call the insurance company directly or log into the member portal.

A 10-minute call can uncover benefits that offset groceries, utilities, or other everyday expenses by simply for completing care that should be done anyway.

Step Five: Make This a Habit, Not a One-Time Talk

This doesn’t need to be heavy or uncomfortable conversation. Think of it as a yearly check-in, just like reviewing finances or estate documents.

A short annual review helps ensure:

• Benefits are being used properly

• Appointments don’t slip through the cracks

• Preventive care stays on track

• Extra value isn’t left unused

For many families, this conversation brings peace of mind, not just for parents, but for adult children who want to be proactive without being intrusive.

The Bottom Line

Medicare Advantage plans are designed to reward engagement, prevention, and planning. The start of the year is the best time to take advantage of that design.

A little attention now can save time, money, and frustration later and help your parents get the full value of coverage they already have.

If you haven’t had this conversation yet in 2026, now is a good time to start.