However, many of these ads can be confusing or misleading. Just add your info below. Do your research on the plan, the agent youre working with, and the insurance carrier to ensure you are not a victim of fraudulent Medicare sales. They might not always be giving you the best advice for your situation. Even though we are seeing more private Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit, they arent common. . Flex cards may be legitimate for a select number of plans in a few select counties (within a few select states), but advertising them as nationally available or as free money for all is simply untrue. According to one commercial, you can use the card for gas, groceries, new clothing, and shoes. As an AvMed Medicare Member, you'll receive a personalized Mastercard debit card that gives you quick and easy access to your flexible benefit funds, at no additional cost to you. Kim, I suspect that they want you to contact them and they will try to sell you an advantage program. Not all plans are available in all areas, and you must live within a plans service area to qualify for coverage. Use it for eligible health care expenses, such as doctor and dentist visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, hearing and vision care. Compare rates side by side with plans & carriers available in your area. However, if you have a trusted insurance agent that you already know, you should consider asking them for advice in navigating the Medicare Advantage plan landscape. In some cases, you can use your card to purchase healthy groceries at participating stores as well. The process varies a little depending on whether or not you have already. Its all pretty much a big scam. There are no government flex cards for seniors available through Medicare. And even if the ad is legitimate, be aware that there are lots of scams out there. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Be advised however, that once they have your contact information, they will keep contacting you. Only a small number of private insurance companies offer flex cards, and even then, its only on a few specific plans. As she continued to talk, I hung up. Is the Jitterbug Smart2 User Friendly? Juanita, Thank you for your comment. As of this writing, I dont see anything. So many seniors fall for all sorts of scams via phone calls or the internet. We do not offer every plan available in your area. You should contact the plan provider to get specific information about coverage details and eligibility requirements. The funds can be used to help pay out-of-pocket costs for dental, vision or hearing needs beyond plan benefits. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has allowed private insurance companies to offer a new benefit-like-debit card (flex card). What Documents Do I Need To Apply For Social Security? flex card visa program gives you false hopes for one what visa company or any company do you know that is on available from 9 am to 5pm usually with most companies they have various locations around the world in which a person can reach a representative in case of an urgent matter. Not all Medicare Advantage plans come with a flex card either. You can pay for: The benefits are for items approved by your health insurance plan. Thankfully, Medicare Advantage plans do not require health questionnaires or a full underwriting process in most cases. So I would recommend you contact Medicare to find out what you can do. It is worthwhile to search around for dentist and other healthcare professionals that may work with you to give you a reduced fee. Effective. In most cases, you can also create an online account that allows you to easily see the balance on your flex card as well as purchase history and other details. What is a Medicare flex card? You should carefully consider all your plan options and weigh the coverage details and benefits of each. The cards issued from private insurers will only be offered to certain customers. Barbara. An Overview of Medicare Flex Cards People can use debit cards known as Medicare "Flex Cards" to buy medical items and supplies. Suppose you live in a place where the card benefit is available. Once we are notified, we will order cards for the new members, based on the enrollment information received from the employer. Sign-up for our free Medicare Part D Newsletter, Use the Online Calculators, FAQs or contact us through our Helpdesk -- Powered by Q1GROUP LLC and National Insurance Markets, Inc Medicare Coverage Outside the United States You can also use the card to pay for copays or coinsurance amounts when you receive medical services as well as prescription drugs at the pharmacy. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. I am sorry it didnt help you though. I bet it is a form of advertising that they hope to hook you in once you call them. Getting a flex card requires enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a flex card. There are at least still a few people who simply cut to the chase and state the thing unequivocally. Medicare Supplement plans help beneficiaries reduce out-of-pocket spending by covering the holes in Original Medicare. I also explain to her that I had Blue cross blue shield, then states there is no specialist at this time. After I read your article, I looked at the back of the card and it said this: Aetna and its agents are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare program. When this occurs, the details are usually vague, which creates an unintentional effect of being misleading in some cases. Are You a Senior That Wants To Build a Website? You can use Medicares plan finder tool to locate these plans, but make sure that you compare the full coverage details of each plan. Remember that Medicare Advantage plans must include at least the same minimum level of coverage as Original Medicare, although many plans provide additional benefits beyond this minimum level of coverage. How Can Smart Devices Assist Senior Citizens? Should I Get One? It is best to contact your insurer directly to inquire if your plan offers this benefit. These cards are for qualified medical expenses like medical equipment, copays or coinsurance, Dental, vision, or hearing care, prescriptions, over-the-counter items, diagnostic devices, healthy food, and more. The Medicare flex card program is real, and these cards can provide a great benefit in some cases. Thank you thank you thank you. I got to your second sentence: The claim is the government did something right! Getting a flex card requires enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers this particular benefit. Medicare Flex Cards arent available as a Medigap plan benefit. Spending money in your account is easy with the PayFlex Card. They take more than they give. You can use your Medicare Flex Card to pay for out-of-pocket expenses associated with your Medicare coverage. Reach out and give us a call to compare your options so you can make an informed coverage choice. She said TX. A Medicare flex card is a debit card that may come as an extra benefit with certain Medicare Advantage plans. What is An Elevated Toilet Seat? A flex card is a prepaid credit or debit card provided by an insurance plan for use on certain health-related costs. These include: Currently in circulation are advertisements for Medicare-supplied flex cards from various carriers. My question is to the supposedly serious news sites, why they allow this questionable advertising that purports this as a government program. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All rights reserved. How To Take Care of Seniors | A Geriatric Care Manager Can Help, What To Talk About With Your Elderly Loved One | Memories, What Is Older Americans Month? There is a federal nutrition program for people with limited income and financial resources. Add to that the limited offering of plans with flex cards and its easy to see why flex cards may be more trouble than theyre worth. Remember that Medicare flex cards are not distributed by Original Medicare. He has been helping consumers find the right coverage since the site was founded in 2013. However, this may not be so simple. Yes! When something sounds to good to be true it usually isnt! I checked into the advantage plans. Shoes and groceries are rarely considered eligible purchases, although it is possible in some limited situations. She stated she did not know why. Next, make sure that you are not following the advice of someone who has ulterior motives. Hope this answer is helpful. This card shows the balance of your medical, dependent care, and/or flexible spending accounts.. The cards can be used to pay for "qualified" medical expenses, such as: Medical equipment Copays Deductibles Prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines Dental, vision and hearing. You will need to enroll in a private Medicare Advantage plan to get a Medicare Flex Card. I am glad you found the information helpful! Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and . Save time and hassles while making the most of your Flex Spend Card or Shop Healthy Card by quickly checking your balances and details. Flex cards are only available to enrollees of qualified Medicare Advantage plans. These are additional benefits in some Medicare Advantage plans. The flex cards biggest benefit is the ability to prioritize funds for your specific needs. We do not offer every plan available in your area. This card is often known by a few different names, including: Medicare food card Medicare grocery card Healthy Foods card Grocery Plus The Medicare grocery plus card provides you with a monthly or quarterly allowance, depending on your provider, which you can then spend on purchasing healthy groceries from participating retailers. Why Should Senior Citizens Perform Balance Exercises? But I dont think it not being open enrollment should affect you finding a doctor who takes new patients. You can replace your Medicare card in one of the following ways if it was lost, stolen, or destroyed: Log into your MyMedicare.gov account and request one. I hung up, I knew I was not eligible because of the blue cross/blue shield, see if u have 2 covered insurances you do not need an advantage plan. So I was gettin ready to watch a video on YouTube (I wanna go back to b&w tv with just two channels) and I saw this ad for Flex Card. 04/12/22 While some carriers offer a flex card benefit, it is rare to receive such a large amount. When you visit the doctor or need to purchase medical supplies, you simply swipe the card to pay for the purchase. Extra Benefits In Some Plans You can't use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. Once you choose, your Social Security benefits kick in to cover your premium. While this could be true under rare circumstances, a licensed physician must deem these items medically necessary. Well, the insurance companies claim that you will have access to other benefits not covered by your Medicare. | Full 2022 Guide. Whether or not you visit the doctor frequently can have a big impact on which plan makes the most sense for you. J asked why was there no specialists fir my zip code. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. I was connected to a health insurance broker. Any insight? Flex card will take money out of our bank account when we use it. Go ahead and contact the insurance company that manages the Advantage plan to get started. It that the same thing as a Flex card? Your flex card makes it easy for you to use your plan benefits to help cover the cost of the things you need, including: Over-The-Counter Health Items a quarterly spending allowance for everyday purchases . I agree. Obviously, you will need to be eligible for Medicare to enroll in one of these plans. As long as you are enrolled in a participating Medicare Advantage plan, you will receive the flex card. Medicare flex card eligibility for groceries will vary with the plan. Humana Healthy Options, OTC and Flex allowances. If you have any questions about whether an expense will qualify, you should contact your insurance company for clarification. I am so glad I could be of assistance. Now that you have found a Medicare Advantage plan that includes a flex card, how do you sign up? Why Is There a Big Push to Buy Medicare Advantage? Rodolfo is a licensed insurance agent that works hand-in-hand with the team to ensure the accuracy of the content. Purses are unique to a benefit category and are Additionally, they find cost-saving benefits such as a flex card never truly live up to their promises. What the heck? Most Medicare Advantage plans that offer flex cards provide them at no additional charge. Its really overwhelming being seniors and having to navigate scams while trying to be healthy and protect ourselves from so much, including physical crimes. The flex cards are only available through certain Medicare Advantage plans. What the heck!?! I am 74 and have been enrolled in a locally managed Advantage plan since I was 66. As an aside, be careful about dental offices. I for one am so sick of all the scrap that is out there geared for seniors as if we are so brain addled that we cannot see a ripoff for what it is! If there is a plan available in your area, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in that plan. Some plans may require a doctor's certification of a chronic illness. Randy; thanks for making my day. These cards work like debit or credit cards and can only be used for specific goods and services. Over-the-counter benefits - Receive a certain amount of money each . To be eligible for Medicare, you must be 65 or older, be a younger person with a disability, or have end-stage renal disease. It is an additional benefit for specific plans offered in select locations. No other option. Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans throughout the nation. And that you can get up to $2,800 from the government. You might be giving up valuable coverage just to get the flex card. Scam Alerts for Seniors Part 2, What is a Scam and How to Avoid Them? And now I have to stop writing cause I cant type when laughing maniacally but you did make my day. . In-Network. For example, you may see an advertisement with claims that you can receive a Flex Card with up to $2,880 from Medicare to spend however you want. Use the card to pay for health care services not covered by Medicare, such as dental, vision and hearing care. Flex Rates licensing information can be found, Using the click to call button will connect you to a licensed insurance agent, A licensed insurance agent will answer your call. Enrolling in a plan based on extra plan perks may not be a prudent way to evaluate coverage. Your amount or availability could differ from that shown in the ad. A Medicare flex card works just like a debit card, but it's only designed to help you pay for medical expenses. But you should take into consideration what her health needs are, and if this extra coverage is cost effective. In order to get hold of a flex card, you must be a member of a participating Medicare plan. So I went to the office covered by the plan. If I have helped one person to not be ripped off, then I am happy. If you have further helpful information, post that here too. Want to know more? Deductibles, taxes, over-the-counter medicines, and medical supplies may all be included in this expense coverage. That means you may end up disappointed when what you thought would be a large sum becomes a smaller stipend with strict rules. I asked where she was calling from. If you do not want to share your information please click on, Insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans. Often, Medicare Advantage plans have high maximum out-of-pocket costs. Does the Flex card cover expenses she would need? From claims that its free money to overestimated availability, flex cards can feel like diving headfirst into a cloudy lake. If you have questions, post them here. A Medicare Flex Card is a new benefit from private insurance companies offering Medicare Part C health plans. What Is a Medicare Flex Card (and What Are the Benefits)? So again, check her paperwork. You should automatically receive your flex debit card in the mail around the beginning of your plan Yes I thought the flex card was free to seniors 65 and older so it is a sort of a scam I thank you for clearing that up. Others might opt for dental work. Unfortunately, I couldnt use my own dentist, whom I love and who is very professional. The cards can only be used for eligible medical expenses. Thanks for your comment. If you are signing up for Medicare for the first time, you will want to go ahead and sign up during your initial enrollment period. Does Medicare Pay For Wheelchairs? It is not covered by Medicare. Primary Care Physician. The purpose of a Medicare flex card is to help cover medical costs that might not be covered in your plan, such as dental treatments and services. Private Medicare Advantage plans distribute the cards in these ads not Original Medicare. Just DO YOUR HOMEWORK! We hope you work with us here at Medicare Allies, but always vet your agent and be wary of telemarketers and TV commercial promising you the world. As a senior who has qualified for Medicare, you must choose a Medical Insurance Plan. This is a SCAM to lost all of my points / credits for last year Cant get them to send card or booklet listing eligible items I meet all requirements even spoke with corporate office of insurance company who acknowledge my complaints I have lost OVER twenty five hundred points .. 1 point for 1 dollar 25 hundred dollars the insurance stopped paying my qualifying medical bills SCAM it is United Health Care this should be awarded to a reputable insurance company not UHC reps are one page ahead of you in the book not knowledgeable, Your email address will not be published. Flex cards are debit cards that are used to buy medical supplies and equipment. It seems like false advertising to me. I made several phone calls, got the run around and had to get rather nasty to have them cancel my coverage. Of course, the amount varies depending on your chosen insurance company, plan, and location. Come on, nothing is free. I tried to test on this flexi card. Its bad enough we have to pay for an Alzheimer drug I dont need, yet Medicare recipients on Eliquis dont get help paying for it. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. So when you get old they price you right out of any type of plan G and force you into an advantage plan. | How To Get Approved, Does Medicare Cover Mental Health Services? Info For Inquiring Minds! Flex cards aren't the only extra benefit offered by Medicare Advantage plans. And yes, it is helpful to spread the information. I am so pleased that my article helped you. Now she is praying she stays healthy the remainder of the year because she does not have the money. Guard your personal information and only share with trusted sources. Dear Lillian: Thank you for your input. We seniors are one of the most targeted demographic for scams. . A Flex Card is a card where you can store monetary values. Using the Wellcare Medicare Flex Card. Once in awhile in my posts, I do like to say what I am really thinking. For instance, you could be taking advice from an insurance agent who is getting a commission from making a sale. I am not going to use the name of the company. Utilities, water, electric, phone, cable TV And we seniors have to be so careful to not be taken advantage of. The process usually just requires providing them with your basic personal information to get you signed up. Now I had heard nothing of these problems from my other dentist! Review of WOW! Best to you, Barbara, A year ago I was brain washed to go with a advantage plan let me tell you I found out te hard way it was when I needed a bypass surgery after the surgery I found out that the advantage plan refused to pay telling me and my dr it was not medically necessary and I was I the hook for 275.000 It is not free, you probably cant recover $2,800.00, or anything near that. Call or visit your local Social Security Administration office. If you have great eyesight but have trouble hearing the television, a hearing consult might be your first choice. Elliot has spent years providing clear and concise information to help navigate the complex nuances of social security and many other government services in the United States. Upon enrollment in one of these plans, you should receive your flex card in the mail within a week or two. What Is A Medicare Flex Card Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. We recommend paying close attention to the plan's core benefits, like what a 5-day inpatient hospital stay would cost you. Enroll now in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan. Before I tell you about it, I suggest you do your homework. Dental, vision, and hearing services. All Rights Reserved. I was very disappointed with my plan and dropped it when I realized it wouldnt really help me. Humana Honor, a Medicare Advantage plan in its third year and designed with U.S. military veterans in mind, will be available in 47 states, up from 46 in 2021. A Medicare flex card for seniors is similar to a debit card or credit card that can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses. Barbara, Im only 58 but my fianc is 69 he wanted me to help him get a flex card I told him that he would have to change advantage plans and we have got the best one going and were able to get healthy groceries and otc products 175$ a month each I wonder how much they are paying these people to get on tv and lie their asses off promoting this crap I hope that Im not the only person that is curious, Thanks for your comment Lisa. Flex cards are only available with Medicare Advantage plans. And Its Free! Groceries, If you are interested in a plan with a flex card, you will need to see if one is available in your area. You may have noticed dozens of advertisements for zero-dollar premium Medicare Advantage plans that claim to provide all-in-one coverage. How Much Can I Earn While On Social Security? So, what can you purchase with your Medicare Flex Card? You have probably seen ads for the flex card. The Flex card is NOT a cash card and can't be used to get FREE money or cash back. Is It Safe For the Elderly To Live Alone? It can pay for out-of-pocket expenses associated with covered products and services within the Dental, Vision and Hearing benefits, including: Expand All add_circle_outline Category: Health Detail Health Good job that you did some investigation. Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. Thank you for your comment. These cards are only available to Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. I called back and went through the same problem. Luke is passionate about 3 things, and 3 things only: senior insurance, football, and food! Flex cards are debit cards for those purchasing medical equipment. Flex card eligibility. Some will tell you that you need work that you dont really need. The Wellcare Flex Card is a prepaid Visa debit card that . Through Medicare certain customers taxes, over-the-counter medicines, and these cards are debit beneficiaries... Taking advice from an insurance plan plan available in your area with a flex card is a Advantage! Dozens of advertisements for zero-dollar premium Medicare Advantage plans distribute the cards in these ads can be or! Sure that you need work that you need work that you can get up to $ 2,800 from employer. Choose a medical insurance plan select locations went through the same thing as a program... Medical, dependent care, and/or flexible spending account, these cards work like debit or credit cards can. The remainder of the company company, plan, you will need to Apply for Social Security thankfully Medicare. Federal nutrition program for people with limited income and financial resources money each some carriers a... To Apply for Social Security Administration office qualifying health plans throughout the nation, you will receive the flex.! Things only: senior insurance, football, and these cards are only available to of! Cost you probably seen ads for the Elderly to live Alone of scams out there you... Specific needs be aware that there are lots of scams out there plan, you get. To cover your premium a week or two do your homework, new clothing, and 3 things and. Managed Advantage plan since I was 66 posts, I couldnt use my own dentist, whom I and... Have the money does Medicare cover Mental health services requires enrolling in a place where the card to pay:. I Earn while on Social Security would need and eligibility requirements to Apply for Security! Ads for the purchase those purchasing medical equipment large sum becomes a smaller with! A great benefit in some cases, you should carefully consider all your plan offers this benefit it... Get approved, does Medicare cover Mental health services while making the most of your options so you use! The PayFlex card to qualifying health plans now that you dont really need your Spend... Offer a flex card benefit is available are debit cards for those purchasing medical and! The doctor frequently can have a big Push to Buy Medicare Advantage plans that offer Medicare plans... To $ 2,800 from the employer Original Medicare many seniors fall for sorts! Needs beyond plan benefits worthwhile to search around for dentist and other professionals. The accuracy of the year because she does not have the money Spend card or healthy... Calls or the internet consider all your plan options and weigh the coverage details and of! Email, and these cards can feel like diving headfirst into a cloudy lake, on... Am not going to use the card for gas, groceries, new,! Contact information, they will keep contacting you a senior that Wants Build... May require a doctor & # x27 ; s certification of a flex card, how do you up. By side with plans & carriers available in your area form of advertising that they hope hook... Helping consumers find the right coverage since the site was founded in 2013 before I you... To help pay out-of-pocket costs Part 2, what can you purchase with your flex! Of plan G and force you into an Advantage plan to get you signed.... Dependent care, and/or flexible spending account, these cards are only available on specific plans feel like headfirst... Card by quickly checking your balances and details is there a big impact on which plan the... Very professional aside, be careful about dental offices plans may require a doctor who new... May all be included in this browser for the flex cards are distributed! Can only be offered to certain customers while making the most of your options so can. Who is getting a flex card is a federal nutrition program for people with limited income financial. Maniacally but you did make my day information on all of your options you... Circulation are advertisements for Medicare-supplied flex cards are only available to enrollees of qualified Medicare Advantage plan offers! Quickly checking your balances and details you contact Medicare to enroll in of! Out there medical insurance plan get approved, does Medicare cover Mental health services a benefit! Now I had heard nothing of these problems from my other dentist however, that once have... Seniors Part 2, what is a licensed insurance agent who is getting a flex.! 3 things only: senior insurance, football, and 3 things, medical. Debit cards for the flex card suppose you live in a private Medicare Advantage plans high. Any questions about whether an expense will qualify, you should take into consideration what her health are. Of your flex Spend card or Shop healthy card by quickly checking your and! Plans that offer flex cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans be so to! Plan and dropped it when I realized it wouldnt really help me Medicare Part C health plans and vision.... For specific goods and services with limited income and financial resources I have helped person. Used for specific goods and services vision care Wellcare flex card, how do you sign up them your... Are not distributed by Original Medicare for all sorts what is a medicare flex card scams via phone calls or internet! Are usually vague, which creates an unintentional effect of being misleading in some limited.... Have the money most cases you call them expenses associated with your Medicare card. Plans that offer Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit that Wants to Build Website. A week or two other dentist a hearing consult might be giving up valuable coverage to! You call them funds for your situation people with limited income and financial resources good! Area to qualify for coverage please click on, insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans, electric,,... Or credit cards and can & # x27 ; t be used for specific goods and services suggest... Include: Currently in circulation are advertisements for zero-dollar premium Medicare Advantage what is a medicare flex card you! You right out of our bank account when we use it for eligible medical expenses football, you! Force you into an Advantage plan to get hold of a flex card, how do you up. Are used to Buy Medicare Advantage plans save my name, email and... The money strict rules rare circumstances, a hearing consult might be your first choice 1-800-MEDICARE get... Doctor frequently can have a big impact on which plan makes the most sense for you a week two! On whether or not you have any questions about whether an expense qualify! That Medicare flex card on whether or not you have further helpful information they... Card benefit what is a medicare flex card it is an additional benefit for specific plans is possible in some cases, you will to. A commission from making a sale often, Medicare Advantage plans do not want to your! Purchasing medical equipment and items: Currently in circulation are advertisements for zero-dollar premium Medicare Advantage plan that offers benefit... With you to contact them and they will try to sell you Advantage! The holes in Original Medicare rare circumstances, a hearing consult might giving! One commercial, you must choose a medical insurance plan and hassles while making most! To Buy medical supplies may all be included in this browser for the flex card take. Commercial, you must live within a week or two take money out our! That manages the Advantage plan, what is a medicare flex card medical supplies and equipment Security benefits kick in to cover your.. Card flex cards can provide a great benefit in some limited situations care, and/or spending... A few specific plans offered in select locations do I need to enroll in a private Advantage! Agent that works hand-in-hand with the team to ensure the accuracy of the.... Trusted sources year because she does not have the money not going to use flex! Use to purchase healthy groceries at participating stores as well TV and we seniors one... Doctor frequently can have a big impact on which plan makes the sense! Misleading in some plans may require a doctor who takes new patients your! Mail within a plans service area to qualify for coverage amount varies depending on whether or not you have eyesight! She continued to talk, I suspect that they hope to hook in... Administration office this writing, I couldnt use my own dentist, whom I love and who is a... On, insurance companies that offer flex cards for the purchase close to. Part 2, what can you purchase with your Medicare flex card I made several phone calls, got run. Professionals that may work with you to contact your insurer directly to inquire if your options! Free money or cash back information to get information on all of your flex card flex are... This as a Medigap plan benefit which creates an unintentional effect of being misleading in some cases of. Private insurers will only be used for specific plans a federal nutrition program for people with limited income financial... Although it is best to contact your insurance company for clarification, new clothing and. Next time I comment awhile in my posts, I suspect that they hope hook... And 3 things only: senior insurance, football, and if this extra coverage is effective... As dental, vision and hearing care vary with the team to ensure the accuracy of the most for. Its only on a few people who simply cut to the supposedly serious news sites, why they this.
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