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The cost of health insurance keeps rising in the US in 2026, and most people have to pay high premiums and high deductibles. However, there is a way to significantly lower your spending on premiums and deductibles with the help of extra services provided by most insurers. In addition, some health plans have lots of perks, including services that help patients stay healthy and save money in the future.
This article is focused on the top 7 hidden health insurance benefits that are ignored by Americans, but should be used widely. They are very useful for those who have employer-sponsored coverage, Medicaid, and people who have health coverage from Healthcare.gov.
1. Free Access to Telemedicine Services
Thanks to the recent coronavirus pandemic, telehealth services are extremely popular nowadays. Almost any plan offers unlimited access to doctors who diagnose minor illnesses and prescribe treatments via video calls with zero or minimum cost-share.
Popular telemedicine services:
Virtual urgent care
Online counseling services for various mental illnesses
Telepsychiatry services
Medication refills for prescriptions
Management of chronic diseases
How to use it:
Download and register on the website of your health plan, such as Teladoc, Amwell, or MDLIVE.
Savings:
An average cost of going to an urgent care clinic is around $150-$300 per visit. Thus, using telehealth, one saves around $300 per each virtual visit.
2. Free Preventive Medical Services
Under the ACA, most health insurance plans must provide free preventive services in-network. Hence, you can save a lot of money and improve your health condition by making use of preventive services.
List of hidden services included in the policy:
Annual wellness exam
Cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol screening
Annual flu vaccinations
HPV, measles, shingles, chicken pox, and hepatitis B vaccinations
Prevention and counseling for smoking, obesity, and alcohol abuse
Prenatal care and breastfeeding equipment
Many Americans do not think they will use their preventive services because they require paying for treatment.
3. Coverage of Mental and Behavioral Services
All health insurance plans must provide equal coverage for mental and physical illnesses thanks to the parity law. Unfortunately, most Americans do not take this benefit because of the stigma and misunderstanding connected to mental illnesses. Depending on your situation, you can get a lot of free services.
Types of services:
Counseling for various psychological illnesses
Psychiatric examination
Treatment for addiction and substance abuse disorders
Access to mental healthcare apps
Most health insurance providers added coverage of depression, anxiety, and stress in 2026. Visit your health plan’s official website or log in to your member portal.
4. Gym Memberships, Fitness Programs, and Apps
Nowadays, gym membership and fitness programs become increasingly popular. That is why, most health insurers provide discounts and bonuses for their customers.
Popular options:
Free or discounted membership fees for in-network gym centers like SilverSneakers
Support with purchasing fitness devices
Fitness and wellness mobile apps: Noom, WeightWatchers, MyFitnessPal, and Calm
Visit your member portal regularly to track special offers and cash rewards.
5. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Service
Another great service that most plans offer is a non-emergency medical transportation service. It includes a variety of transportation services that people can use to travel to hospitals, labs, and rehabilitation centers.
Popular non-emergency medical transportation services:
Ambulance rides
Ride-shares for visiting specialists
Transportation by flight for intercity and interstate travels
Costs for food and lodging
It is extremely helpful for most Medicare beneficiaries.
6. Nutrition Consulting, Weight Control, and Diabetes Prevention
Today, more and more people develop obesity and type 2 diabetes, and most health insurance companies try to address this problem. In result, you can have multiple opportunities to prevent these disorders.
Possible perks:
Free or inexpensive nutrition consulting services with licensed nutritionists
Dieting services for managing diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and other illnesses
Nutritional supplements
In addition, some plans provide coverage of bariatric surgery under certain circumstances.
7. Hearing Aids, Eye Exams, Dental Care
Compared to traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans have a wide range of benefits related to vision, dental, and hearing care services. It means that you can get free eye exams, hearing aids, and some other discounts and allowances.
Extra benefits that Medicare Advantage plans offer:
Hearing aid exams and devices (with annual limits for $3,000-$5,000);
Eye exam and glasses;
Vision correction surgeries, such as LASIK;
Dental care services: regular checks, teeth cleaning, filling, and other treatments.
Additional Benefits
Alternative therapies (acupuncture and chiropractic)
Home health care
Hospice
Replacement wigs and prosthetic services for cancer patients;
Allowance for over-the-counter medications.
How to Take Advantage of Your Hidden Benefits
Take a look at several simple steps you should undertake to make use of your health insurance policy:
Log in to your member portal and check your coverage
Talk to your member services representatives
Refer to your evidence of coverage document
Find out your health insurance plan’s website and search for hidden benefits
If you have an employer-provided health insurance plan, ask your HR representative for hidden services.
Why Most People Do Not Use Their Benefits
The major reasons why many Americans do not use their hidden benefits include:
Misunderstanding of plans and contracts
Unsuccessful marketing strategies used by insurers
Health insurance stigmatization and stigma connected to mental illnesses
Problems with choosing right providers
It will take one hour of your time to find your hidden benefits.
Conclusion
If you understand your insurance plan and its coverage, you can decrease expenses significantly, as well as take full advantage of many services. With the help of telemedicine, preventive, mental and wellness services, one can save thousands of dollars.
FAQ
Are there any hidden health insurance benefits?
These hidden services can be found in almost all ACA-compliant and employer-sponsored health insurance policies. In addition, Medicare Advantage offers more perks than Original Medicare.
Where can I find more information on hidden services?
Visit the website of your health insurance plan and look for special offers on your member portal.
Is telemedicine paid by my insurance company?
It depends on your plan, but most insurers provide free telemedicine services.
Do Medicare Advantage plans offer free gym memberships?
Yes, most of them provide gym memberships for free or with significant discounts.
Can I get free counseling for my nutritional needs?
If you suffer from diabetes, obesity, and other nutritional issues, you can get free counseling sessions.
What should I do when I need a ride to the hospital?
Contact member services representatives and arrange transportation.
Will my plan cover the cost of my hearing aids?
While Traditional Medicare does not provide this benefit, it is covered by Medicare Advantage.
What should I consider when choosing a health plan during Open Enrollment Period?
Try to choose a plan with lots of benefits that are provided by reputable companies.
Should I reach my deductible before receiving preventive services?
Not necessarily, most preventive services do not require meeting a deductible.
Can I receive hidden benefits if I have a high-deductible health plan?
Absolutely, all preventive services are covered even for HDHPs.