We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today. Over-the-counter benefits - Receive a certain amount of money each . While some private insurance companies may offer cards that carry balances of several thousand dollars each year, many may fall in the lower hundred-dollar range. The money in your FSA can be used on your parents if they qualify as your dependent. Heres a look at what flex cards are (and are not), how they work, how to get one, and how to protect yourself from potential flex card scams. 1. * Your information is 100% protected. But more often than not, you might find yourself attracted towards a scam that can take all your money. Interested employees can learn more about FSAFEDS by visiting the FSAFEDS website or by calling an FSAFEDS Benefits Counselor at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337). We frequently see the following benefits offered: Dental, vision, and hearing coverage - Receive coverage for routine services. . These organizations can help you through these complex decisions, and they can provide all the details you need to make the most informed decision. May cover meal delivery services. Buy healthy food online or in person. Limitations and exclusions may apply. Diagnostic devices (blood sugar test kits, etc. Most businesses with a good reputation will ask you to contact them first they will only do something with your permission. Flex cards aren't the only extra benefit offered by Medicare Advantage plans. Boca Raton, Florida. And funds can only be used for eligible, qualifying, medically necessaryServices or supplies that are needed for the diagnosis or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted standards of medical practice. To qualify, you generally need to be at least 65 years old and to have lived in the United States for at least five years as a citizen or permanent resident. Assurance IQ is a licensed representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PPFS organizations and prescription drug plans with a Medicare contract. There are many organizations out there that help seniors with Medicare planning and other similar items, so finding one of these organizations can provide a great benefit. free food However, this is entirely not true. SilverSneakers Now Offers Apple Fitness+ Benefit, Do Not Sell nor Share My Personal Information. So, who qualifies for Medicare flex card? In this article, were going to answer your most important questions, including: Starting in late summer 2021, advertisements started to appear everywhere offering a senior flex card. Once the money in the flex card account is spent, the card cannot be used again until it is reloaded by the insurance provider based on their guidelines. Additionally, there may be any fraud that can attract you to go plans by any risky platforms. As a result, its worth asking your prospective provider-specific questions and demanding clear answers in return. FLEX is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by American Councils for International Education. Expanded Nutrition Assistance for Low-Income Seniors. Get affordable hearing aids that dont break the bank. An ad saying there was $2,880 available in a Medicare Flex Card looked like a windfall to Laurence Archer. However, despite the name, Medicare flex cards are not issued by Medicare itself, but are promotional efforts by private health insurance companies to encourage customers to sign up for their Medicare Advantage plans. In fact, we could not find any plans that offer Flex Cards with a benefit anywhere near that amount of money. Visa flex card I got a email from the flex card program that said I could get up to 10,000 in credit. These cards, which are typically linked to a flexible spending account, are a benefit that is trying to quality healthcare plans across the country. Assurance IQ, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. Call 211 to find agencies and community organizations that can assist you with finding food in an emergency. Christmas What is a seniors flex card? Unfortunately, there are many scams out there today that advertise free flex cards. Although some major carriers offer plans with flex cards, they are not part of most available plans. Im not saying its the government doing this. Its offered through private Medicare Advantage plans and only available in specific areas around the country. Not all private insurers offer flex cards, and not all flex card programs are created equal. If you give that site your personal information, they are likely going to sell it for profit. . This means that a Medicare Advantage plan might have a flex card benefit in Georgia and North Carolina, but it may not be available in Texas.If youre interested in finding out whether there are plans that offer flex cards in your area, to see if there are any available. We'll also explain how . So, it's not free; you're unlikely to recoup $2,800.00 or anything close to it. ). Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are private insurance alternatives to government-run Medicare plans, offer flex cards, but very few Medicare recipients are eligible for the cards let alone cards with $2,880 in free money. Developing senior leaders in the U.S. Government through Leadership for a Democratic Society, Custom Programs and Interagency Courses. This is her home that her retirement pays for, which is good because the son has . There are several things that you can do to stay away from these traps. Details such as your Doctor visit and facility co-pays, prescription drug costs, and other medical costs. Depending on the advertisement, some claimed these cards could be worth $2,880 or more! For example, you might see an ad offering a Medicare flex card while these flex cards are part of Medicare Advantage plans, not being clear about this upfront is a red flag. These flex cards are only available from a select few private insurance companies and only with a limited number of plans. Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. It covers doctor visits, preventative care, tests, durable medical equipment, and supplies. Workers who decide to join the union after the Open Season has ended but before their 60-day anniversary of hire are considered new members. The funds can be used to help pay for dental, vision or hearing needs beyond your plan. Health insurance is complicated enough without worrying about these bad actors, but its something we have to always be vigilant about. Adding Extra Coverage with Life Insurance Riders, How Investing In Life Insurance Can Benefit Your Financial Strategy, Comparing Health Insurance Plans and Networks, Health Insurance Marketplace: A Guide to Coverage Options and Eligibility, Secondary Health Insurance: A Look at How It Works, Understanding The Differences Of Copays, Deductibles, and Coinsurance, Guide To Finding Health Insurance Coverage Between Jobs, Navigating The Health Insurance Subsidy System: A Beginners Guide, How To Choose the Right Medicare Plan for You, How to Get Better Dental Coverage from Medicare, Comprehensive Insurance: A Complete Overview, Understanding High-Risk Auto Insurance: Who Needs It and Why, Pay Per Mile Car Insurance: A Perfect Fit For Low-Mileage Drivers, What is an Insurance Peril? You can make contributions to your FSA through payroll deductions for as long as you are employed. A flex card is not included with government-provided Medicare plans. 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. Even if you do everything right, you could still be a victim of Medicare fraud. Using a flex card is like using a debit card. Unfortunately, Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care. Few seniors participate in SNAP Only 2 out of 5 eligible adults over age 60 are enrolled in SNAP. In fact, many of the advertisements were downright deceptive and implied . ebt card Private Medicare Advantage plans distribute the cards in these ads not Original Medicare. Posted on Published: November 22, 2021- Last updated: November 17, 2022. Learn more about the Medicare grocery card for seniors: Eligible members get a monthly grocery allowance. food Contact us at the number above or complete our online rate form to see affordable plans in your area today! Though superficially similar to flexible spending accounts (FSAs), Medicare flex cards differ in where they are offered and how they are funded. And you just might be surprised when the benefit you called for isnt available in your area, or you dont qualify for it. cheap They can be used to buy medical equipment, medical expenses, and certain other items. Military funeral and burial honors. To make sure you don't fall victim to this scam . Updated. Everything you need to know about flex cards for seniors: what they are, who needs them, and how Medicare can help provide coverage. 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. If you see an advertisement for a free flex card or an Original Medicare flex card, it's probably not legitimate. So for that reason I say stick it in your ear thank you very much. These benefits arent available in all areas. Benefits.gov is home to a range of information on senior related resources offered by our Federal Partners. What they dont tell you is that this is basically just a flex card with a new and exciting name. You can even add a flex card to your Amazon account for eligible purchases. Does Medicare Have a Flex Card for Seniors? Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. As a general guideline, you should never provide private information online to unknown businesses. This is a scam. . In November 2022 we tried to use the flex medical card for everything we bought, it worked for anything. The cards are available in limited geographic areas. We strive to provide up-to-date information but make no warranties regarding the accuracy of our information. He is featured in many publications as well as writes regularly for other expert columns regarding Medicare. That's a lot less than . THE ANSWER. Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. However, when it comes to dental coverage on Medicare, you are not without options. Threaten to cancel your older adults health benefits if they dont share their current Medicare number or other personal information. Low Income Relief is an informational website that provides tips, advice, and information to help you make ends meet. Key Takeaways. Extra benefits are a good thing, but dont sacrifice important medical benefits to get a Flex Card allowance. Most of the time it is a combined benefit annually to be used for either dental, vision or hearing. Get More Details and Apply Here: Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Getting a senior flex card starts with finding a private health insurance provider that offers these cards as part of their Medicare Advantage plans. If they approach you or contact you first, do not engage. Thats far less than the $2,880 that I originally saw advertised. However, most of the time these cards do not have that high of an amount (in 2023 the average was $500) and the funds . This means they are not part of government-managed Medicare plans. You should be eligible for Original Medicare before signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan. rent What Is Universal Life Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide. Also, be wary of live gurus who have their own plans. I was able to identify many flex cards from legitimate insurers like Humana but I could not find any that offered as much money as the advertisements claimed. Final Expense Life Insurance Explained: Is It The Right Choice For You? This card is often known by a few different names, including: Medicare food card; - Jeff R. Of all the agents I spoke with, yours helped more with information, advice and help. Monthly benefits are transferred to the seniors' personal Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT . So, how do you avoid these scams? Medicare Flex Cards for seniors are only available on certain Medicare Advantage Plans. Housing help. Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement, American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance, How To Promote Mental Wellness in Old Age, How To Be a Snowbird Without Breaking the Bank, What To Do if Your Savings Arent on Track for Retirement, Crucial Tips for Downsizing Your Budget During Retirement, How To Reduce Senior Medical Debt in America, Medicare Advantage Vs Medicare Supplement, Medicare Supplement Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions, Other medically necessary expenses check your plan details for a complete list. Boca Raton, Florida. Medicare Supplement plans do not include flex card benefits. In some instances, this fraud is carried out by individuals who provide misleading or false information to insurance providers as a means to access services at reduced costs or by using someone elses identity. Senior beneficiaries can use these pre-loaded cards for certain healthcare purchases, including medical equipment and OTC medications. This is true even if they did not work during the Open Season. In reality, a very small percentage of plans available nationwide offer this benefit. Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans throughout the nation. Part B is medical coverage.. Is the full amount provided upfront or over a period of time? If you are looking to reduce your healthcare spending, enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan could be a step in the right direction. 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. You cant use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are private insurance alternatives to government-run Medicare plans, offer flex cards, but very few Medicare recipients are eligible for the cards let alone cards with $2,880 in free money. Flex cards are debit cards loaded with a predetermined amount of money. Tell your older adult there will be a charge for the new card, so they need to verify their personal information, bank information, or credit card information. utilities Medicare Supplement plans make healthcare affordable and easy for all enrollees. It is usually an annual benefit that can be used for dental, eye, or hearing care. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are private insurance alternatives to government-run Medicare plans, offer flex cards, but very few . Medicare-qualifying beneficiaries can use pre-loaded flex cards to pay for medical costs. Dental Insurance Flex Cards are for medical bills that meet certain criteria. Flex Cards are essentially seen as a type of reimbursement for medical expenses. For example, you might see an offer for a flex card with a $1,000 balance but if the insurance plan tied to the card comes with a $25 per month increase over your current Medicare Advantage premium and doubles your deductible from $500 to $1,000, you could end up paying more each year even with your flex card. However, whats covered may vary from provider to provider. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Thanks EIP! Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), meanwhile, are offered through employer-sponsored healthcare. homeless Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. Filed Under: All About Medicare, Blog Posts, Medicare Advantage Tagged With: flex card for medicare seniors, flex card for seniors on medicare, what is the flex card for seniors. Flex cards for seniors work like pre-loaded debit cards. If you suspect you are the victim of a scam, dont let the scammer know you are suspicious since this may prompt them to do something rash with your information, such as running up credit card debt or trying to sell your personal information online. Many seniors have been lured into responding to ads that claimA request for payment that you submit to Medicare or other health insurance when you get items and services that you think are covered. Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). SSI Redetermination: What It Is and How It Can Affect Your Benefits . Just like there are only certain items that can be purchased with an EBT card, there are only certain items that can be purchased with a Flex card as well. For example, if youre in the market for new glasses, but your Medicare Advantage plan does not provide vision coverage, you may be able to use your flex card to cover some or all of the cost. 7 key facts about SNAP benefits for seniors. Two cards. These include: Currently in circulation are advertisements for Medicare-supplied flex cards from various carriers. For example, if the company says you get a $2,000 flex card, ask how much of the money you get upfront. Heres what you need to know about flex cards and their function. There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. He went the extra mile. This is a marketing tool of the private company and gets you to change your Medicare Advantage plan to another company. This card, however, must be linked to a Medicare Advantage Plan, which is a paid service. According to one commercial, you can use the card for gas, groceries, new clothing, and shoes. health Seniors can only use the Flex Card for Seniors to receive free money or cash back, as the Flex Card is not a cash card. While it is true that the maximum benefit Medicare will allow plans to offer is $2,880, that is not the amount they deposit on the Flex Card. Social Security If someone reaches out to you and then asks for your personal information, thats a big red flag. Weve had countless people reach out to us, asking if this is a legitimate offer or a terrible scam. Keep in mind that these cards are not associated with government-run programs such as Original Medicare, so any ads indicating that its possible to obtain a government flex card for seniors are false. Again, Medicare Advantage plans do not typically include the flex card benefit. It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. Money on the card can be used to pay for specific health services, such as dental or vision care, prescriptions, or even healthy groceries. TTY 1-800-952-0450. For a total of $1,600 per year, the most extensive valid flex plan identified featured a $1,000 flex card and a $50 monthly debit card for other out-of-pocket expenses. Facebook posts advertise a "Medicare Flex Card" that seniors can use to pay for expenses such as groceries. The new card will not affect Medicare benefits. While some carriers offer a flex card benefit, it is rare to receive such a large amount. Additionally, Ashlee trains new and tenured Medicare agents on CMS compliance guidelines. If you decide to keep Original Medicare, you can purchase a dental plan alongside this coverage to pay for cleanings, exams, and other dental care. Consumers mislead by Medicare Flex card ads. Get a personalized Home Insurance quote now. Jan 10 2012. healthcare Employees can contribute up to $2,850 per year to their FSA, and employers may also contribute if they choose. If you believe that you have been the victim of a Medicare scam or you see advertisements for flex cards or other plans that seem suspicious, you can report these scams to the government. The FTC accepts complaints about all scams, like imposter scams, phone calls, emails, computer support senior scams, prizes, grants, and sweepstakes offers, student loan or scholarship scams, fake checks, and demands for you to send money. Only a small number of private insurance companies offer flex cards, and even then, it . This skates on the edge of false advertising. 3, Report #820758. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are private insurance alternatives to government-run Medicare plans, offer flex cards, but very few Medicare . However, many of these ads can be confusing or misleading. The money will be debited immediately from your balance when you use your Flex Card to make a purchase. Since the inception of his first company in 2012, he has been dedicated to helping those eligible for Medicare by providing them with resources to educate themselves on all their Medicare options. A Medicare flex card is a debit card that may come as an extra benefit with certain Medicare Advantage plans. You can also review your plans benefits on Medicare.gov. It is the single reason I elected to go with Elite. Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement. If someone calls you & asks for your personal information, thats a big warning sign. If so, you can reach them at 877-823-8276. Flex card offers that claim to give you free money are also a red flag because, put simply, they arent giving you free money. Get a personalized Health Insurance quote now. Select which Medicare plans you would like to compare in your area. At worst, it could result in you being scammed. Although they arent technically scammers, some of them dont mind playing dirty and being deceptive in their advertising. A flex card for seniors is a debit card offered by certain private Medicare Advantage providers. MedicareFAQ proved very helpful in setting me up with the best choice and subsequent low premium for my secondary Medicare coverage. For example, if you enroll during March, your coverage will become effective on April 1. Flex cards are not administered by the Federal Government and are not considered insurance. The spending allowance deposited on most cards is only a few hundred dollars. Email:info@usamedicareplan.com Read Article . Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), What to Do If Youre a Victim of Medicare Fraud. Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and . They're designed to help you pay for medical expenses that aren't covered by your plan that way, you don't need to pay out of pocket. You will probably get a lot of phone calls and contact from insurance companies that have paid for your information. Most of the time it is a combined benefit . To learn more, Reach out Today at NewMedicare. Hi Audrey. 04:11 PM. While flex cards may be offered as part of Medicare Advantage plans, there is no government flex card for seniors. Senior discounts can save you substantial amounts of money 10% to 80% off the normal price of a wide range of goods and services, including restaurant meals, travel and even prescription drugs. members to the flexible spending program who need a flex debit card. These cards are offered only by insurance companies that provide these flexible cards. It has two parts. FSAs also require you to pay for covered health services out-of-pocket and then submit a claim for reimbursement, while flex cards let you access money for costs directly.