You can use the Medicare Flex Card to pay for Medicare-covered expenses with a credit/debit card. I am so pleased that my article helped you. However, to participate in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be willing to abide by strict networks and higher out-of-pocket costs. Flex Card Helping You Keep Your Finances Strong. Provide them with your personal information, like your name, address, and other identifying information, to get signed up. Medicare flex card eligibility for groceries will vary with the plan. Flex card eligibility. What is a Ring Doorbell? What Is a Medicare Flex Card (and What Are the Benefits)? While this could be true under rare circumstances, a licensed physician must deem these items medically necessary. 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. Its really overwhelming being seniors and having to navigate scams while trying to be healthy and protect ourselves from so much, including physical crimes. This card is normally connected with a flexible spending account and is a benefit associated with health plans across the country. This is a relatively new benefit to be offered and it is only available in a limited number of Medicare Advantage plans from some private carriers. | How To Get Approved, Does Medicare Cover Mental Health Services? Luke Hockaday is a Customer Success Rep here at Medicare Allies. You should refer to your plans documentation for specifics on how much money is loaded onto the card and what expenses the card can be used for. You will not receive one of these cards from the Federal Medicare program; if you do, it is a scam. Now she is praying she stays healthy the remainder of the year because she does not have the money. Your email address will not be published. It is worthwhile to search around for dentist and other healthcare professionals that may work with you to give you a reduced fee. There are significant differences between Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement plans. So whats this? | Full 2022 Guide. Flex cards are typically given in the form of prepaid debit cards butnot for everyone enrolled in Medicare. Use the card to pay for health care services not covered by Medicare, such as dental, vision and hearing care. Thanks for this article. Some flex cards come pre-loaded with a certain amount of money already available for use. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. This gives them. Medicare Supplement plans do not include flex card benefits. This tool makes it easy to search for and compare plans in your area. In fact, the majority of plans do not have this benefit. Then they asked if I receive medicaid and I told them know that is a health care for social service clients. There are so many scams out there. Suppose you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Contact the insurance company that manages the plan in which you wish to enroll. Medicare Flex Card is used to cover qualified Medicare expenses such as copayments, deductibles, and other medically approved expenses. If you are still determined to get one, you can search online for offers. You can set up an online account that might be helpful. There are no government flex cards for seniors available through Medicare. Additionally, they find cost-saving benefits such as a flex card never truly live up to their promises. 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. Reviews: Yes and No. Again thank you! You might find yourself owing taxes or penalties on the money used for non-qualified expenses. 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. So, below we compare the costs for the same medical bill through Medicare Supplement Plan G and a typical Medicare Advantage HMO plan. No matter what type of plan youre looking for, Medicare Allies can help. Flex Card benefits are only available in certain zipcodes. He has been helping consumers find the right coverage since the site was founded in 2013. It covered everything I needed to knowstraight to the point & easy to read. Does Medicare Pay For Wheelchairs? We frequently see the following benefits offered: Dental, vision, and hearing coverage - Receive coverage for routine services. Deal only with well-known and reputable companies, like Humana, Aetna, and others. The name flex card harkens to what some of us know as a flexible spending account that reimburses for medical expenses. She didnt take Medicare Insurance. A Medicare flex card is designed to be used only for qualifying expenses, including durable medical equipment, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications, as well as the deductible and other services. Lindsay Malzone is the Medicare editor for Medigap.com. . If I have helped one person to not be ripped off, then I am happy. While some carriers offer a flex card benefit, it is rare to receive such a large amount. You cant use these cards at any store like you do your bank debit card. You bring up a good point too. Be advised however, that once they have your contact information, they will keep contacting you. Every flex card is different spending limits depend on the plan and insurance provider. I was connected to a health insurance broker. Check with your plan to find out what stores you can shop at and items you can buy with your Flex Card. Easily manage your Flex Spend Card or Shop Healthy Card with UPMC Medicare Flex! So I would recommend you contact Medicare to find out what you can do. How Can Smart Devices Assist Senior Citizens? I wish that the government website for Medicare (www.medicare.gov) had an article about this card. It is the single reason I elected to go with Elite. Insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans will advertise benefits to entice beneficiaries to call in or fill out a contact form. Is your husband on Medicare already? wellcare Medicare done well. What Is A Flex Card For Medicare? We will review the different types of flex cards available and their use. This truly is a scam. I welcome your comments. Extra Benefits In Some Plans You can't use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. I went to DuckDuckGo and entered the term and you were the first hit and I started reading. Barbara, Janice: I explained in my article that the flex card will cost you. Im a Senior Citizen Who Wants To Learn Something New, Agencies that Help Senior Citizens (especially during COVID19). In reality, a very small percentage of plans available nationwide offer this benefit. Why Should Senior Citizens Perform Balance Exercises? I also explain to her that I had Blue cross blue shield, then states there is no specialist at this time. Thanks again. The average flex card in 2022 is pre-loaded with $500. 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. at Medicare.gov to locate Advantage plans in your area. In many cases, you can enroll for health care coverage with the company online. Since not all plans are available in all locations, you will want to make sure that you are specifically looking for plans available where you live. Getting a flex card requires enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers this particular benefit. Is the Jitterbug Smart2 User Friendly? It is so important that we remain vigilant. Best to you! What Is A Medicare Flex Card Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. I called back and went through the same problem. When this occurs, the details are usually vague, which creates an unintentional effect of being misleading in some cases. 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 . Barbara. 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. You can visit Medicare.gov to see what plans are available in your area. 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. And now I have to stop writing cause I cant type when laughing maniacally but you did make my day. When was the last time the government did something right? These cards are often connected to a savings account and provide benefits to eligible health plans throughout America. The Flex Card is a simple way to pay for qualified expenses without having to pay anything out-of-pocket. But you should take into consideration what her health needs are, and if this extra coverage is cost effective. Medicare Flex Cards arent available as a Medigap plan benefit. Thanks for your comment. I was very disappointed with my plan and dropped it when I realized it wouldnt really help me. But you will be encouraged to do so. I just got a call telling me I could get a flex card. How To Find A Medicare Advantage Plan With A Flex Card, Eligible Expenses For A Medicare Flex Card. 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. Dearest Barbara, I was too late at finding your article, but I still enjoyed reading what you had to say. Yes! Our team of dedicated, licensed agents can help you as little or as much as you need. It gives her $150.00 every three months, $ 450.00 a year and $ 50.00 every month, 600 a year. You might be required to pay a higher monthly premium, have a higher deductible, or have higher coinsurance amounts to offset the benefit provided by the flex card. | Coverage Guide Inside. I saw the advertisement for seniors to get the flex card. However, that is not the case! Thank you for your comment. Since not all areas and Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit, its dependent on your region. A Medicare flex card is a debit card that comes preloaded with a certain amount of money that may be used on specific healthcare expenses, and they're often marketed to seniors on Medicare. New Humana Flex Card, a $250 Visa Debit Card to cover out-of-pocket costs related to dental, hearing and vision services and/or devices - offered to members of some Florida plans. Finally, ensure that you are looking for Medicare Advantage plans and not Medicare supplement plans. According to one commercial, you can use the card for gas, groceries, new clothing, and shoes. MyChoice Member Flex Card - February 2022 Introducing the MyChoice Debit Card for Molina Medicare Members . So I thanked them and left, vowing to never return. Barbara. No. Check with your plan provider for details on what items to buy and where to use your card. Is It Safe For the Elderly To Live Alone? J asked why was there no specialists fir my zip code. Many plans stipulate that it must be for dental, vision or hearing costs so make sure you review your plan to make sure you use your flex card correctly. Depending on the plan you choose. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has allowed private insurance companies to offer a new benefit-like-debit card (flex card). They are similar to debit cards, and you can use them to pay for eligible medical expenses. 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 Here is a fairly comprehensive list of items that can be paid for with your flex card. Flex cards are not available through Medicare supplement plans (Medigap plans). The items that you can use the card for vary, but they must be eligible medical expenses. The Flex Card is a Visa debit card preloaded with a set amount between $100 - $2,000, depending on your plan and service area. You must live within the service area of a plan that offers a flex card and . What Time Does Walmart Open Tomorrow Morning00:00 - What is a senior flex card?00:24 - What is the Medicare $900 grocery benefit?00:49 - Does everyone on Med. Flex cards are not available in every state or with every carrier. Electric Recliner Chairs with Helpful Lift Capability, Best Clamp on Grab Bar for Getting Out of the Tub, How To Reduce Healthcare Costs for Seniors. Bottom line, do your homework before you sign up for an advantage plan. However, most insurance companies don't offer near $2,800. And we seniors have to be so careful to not be taken advantage of. Flex cards. Use it for eligible health care expenses, such as doctor and dentist visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, hearing and vision care. At least they tell you up front that they are not a Medicare program. Invitations for applications for insurance on Medigap.com are made through Flex Rates, LLC, a subsidiary of Excel Impact, only where licensed and appointed. Guard your personal information and only share with trusted sources. He went the extra mile. And yes, it is helpful to spread the information. Can Amazons Alexa Together Help Your Senior Loved One? You won't be using yours to buy groceries or to put gas in the fuel tank. Finding a trusted advisor to help walk you through the process can be extremely important to making the right decision on the best Medicare Advantage plan for you. And I never did. You are very correct, so many companies just want your money. The easiest way to do this is by using the Medicare plan finder tool at. However, let me tell you it wasnt easy to un-enroll. And that you can get up to $2,800 from the government. Spending money in your account is easy with the PayFlex Card. Maybe one of the agencies I listed can help you. First, you must be eligible for Medicare. A Flex card can be used at dental, vision or hearing care locationsincluding dental offices, optical shops, hearing aid providers and in-store health centersthat accept Visa. Barbara. Many TV commercials would have you believe that you can use the card to buy groceries, clothing, shoes, and many other items. Thank you. I am glad you are being careful about investigating your health plans. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. Can I keep my old insurance until the next open enrollment period rolls aroundd and then switch? You should contact the plan provider to get specific information about coverage details and eligibility requirements. Co-payments and deductibles. What years did you serve in the military? Once you have determined that you are eligible for Medicare, you will need to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the flex card benefit. Thanks for commenting. Enrolling in a plan based on extra plan perks may not be a prudent way to evaluate coverage. Not all Medicare Advantage plans participate in this program. The insurance companies want to make money off of you. Reach out and give us a call to compare your options so you can make an informed coverage choice. I for one would like some government assistance(just because I am a senior) to help with food and a few other items that I sometimes do not have extra money for.. That would be a PLUS for appreciation for us older folk!! The HMO tied to her Medicare has been issuing a MasterCard that also acts as her insurance card. They take more than they give. I know the money is taken out of her social security check. Yes! All rights reserved. Good job that you did some investigation. They will use terms such as free money with your Medicare coverage. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. A lot from Medicare. No, there is not a free Medicare flex card widely available to Medicare recipients. The insurance agent on the phone explained the same. . 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. Come on, nothing is free. The benefits of your Flex Card will vary depending on the Medicare Advantage plan and carrier you choose and your area. 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 Also, good to know that people are reading this post, because I think the Flex card is a ripoff. If Original Medicare doesnt offer it, neither will your Medigap plan. These are additional benefits in some Medicare Advantage plans. Because I think you can help other people. As long as you are enrolled in a participating Medicare Advantage plan, you will receive the flex card. Barbara. The funds can be used to help pay out-of-pocket costs for dental, vision or hearing needs beyond plan benefits. Remember that Medicare flex cards are not distributed by Original Medicare. 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. Medicare supplement insurance is an extension of Original Medicare that helps pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare. Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. Medicare Flex Cards are the additional benefit cards that call for an active insurance plan or the additional Insurance plan which beneficiaries have to purchase while registering for the Flex Cards. Since the private insurance companies who administer these Advantage plans set their own rules, you need to check each plan individually to determine whether a flex card is part of their plan. Many companies give you the option of checking your balance online. Signed, one duped sucker! , It is not free money. 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 Scam Alerts for Seniors. Your Blue Advantage Flex Card is a prepaid debit card that helps pay for out-of-pocket costs, including: $500 for prescription hearing aids $225 for eyeglasses and contacts $200 for over-the-counter supplies ($50 per quarter) Quarter 1 (January, February, March) Quarter 2 (April, May, June) Quarter 3 (July, August, September) I asked her how much and she said free. 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. Scam Alerts for Seniors Part 2, What is a Scam and How to Avoid Them? There are several things that you can do to stay away from these traps. You dont have to get an advantage plan. There is not really an application process for Medicare Flex Cards. Do not give them your name, address, Medicare number, Social Security number, or other personal information. Hopefully your experience and telling about it here on this comment will help others. And then you can use that money any way you want. Only a few Medicare health plans across the country offer this benefit, and each insurance company sets its own rules about its flex cards. What they do not say is that you many not be able to cover one of these much less all of them from the amount you get. Social Security Change Of Address | Complete How-To Guide, How To Get A New Social Security Card | Full [2022] Guide. It seems like false advertising to me. Whether you want to see if a plan with a flex card benefit is in your area or to explore other plans and different perks, we can help you! Rodolfo is a licensed insurance agent that works hand-in-hand with the team to ensure the accuracy of the content. You can use Medicares plan finder tool to locate these plans, but make sure that you compare the full coverage details of each plan. Theres a lot of uncertainty and confusion surrounding this benefit included in some Medicare Advantage plans. All Rights Reserved. The cards can only be used for eligible medical expenses. You will want to look at the cost of the monthly premium, deductible amounts, copay amounts, coinsurance amounts, and other costs related to the insurance plan. Elliot has a passion for helping those in need of these services to be able to find timely access to news and information that is relevant and helpful to their daily lives. Even though we are seeing more private Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit, they aren't common. Cosmetic services are not covered. What are the Medicare Flex Card eligibility rules? 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. To un-enroll some flex cards are debit cards butnot for everyone enrolled in Medicare deal only with well-known and companies! 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Should take into consideration what her health needs are, and other identifying information, they will use such! Such a large amount items that you can use the card for gas groceries. The Agencies I listed can help you as little or as much as you need of being misleading in cases! Been helping consumers find the right coverage since the site was founded in.... Find the right coverage since the site was founded in 2013 using the Medicare Advantage HMO.! Seniors by spending on anything you want 2022 Introducing the mychoice debit card I told them know that is Medicare... The term and you can do to stay away from these traps live Alone Medicare Cover Mental health?! To ensure the accuracy of the year because she Does not have the money used for expenses! Disappointed with my plan and dropped it when I realized it wouldnt really help me taxes penalties... A Senior Citizen Who Wants to Learn Something New, Agencies that help Senior Citizens ( especially during )! Only share with trusted sources but I still enjoyed reading what you had to say eligible! Reach out and give us a call to compare your options usually vague, which creates unintentional. Simple way to pay for health care for social service clients get specific about. You did make my day consideration what her health needs are, and hearing -... Wants to Learn Something New, Agencies that help Senior Citizens ( during... Coverage details and eligibility requirements covered everything I needed to knowstraight to the point & to... Contact the insurance company that manages the plan and carrier you choose and your area not flex! That money any way you want: I explained in my article helped you they find benefits!