The Flex card is not going to be free but you may need to pay an additional premium to the Medicare advantage plan offered by the company. So heres the deal, every year right around the annual open enrollment period which runs from Oct 15th to Dec 7th, theres always a certain benefit thats heavily advertised by medicare sales agencies. It is a scam that tries to get seniors to sign . Common health services covered by flex cards include: Keep in mind that because flex cards for seniors on Medicare are provided by private insurers, these companies can decide what their cards cover and what they dont. 2. Another option for dental coverage is to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with dental benefits. 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. So, you must live in an area where at least one of these plans is available and sign up during a qualifying Medicare enrollment period. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. It is best to contact your insurer directly to inquire if your plan offers this benefit. If you suspect that youve been victimized, the first step is to reduce the amount of damage the scammer can do to your identity or credit history. I am glad you found the information helpful! You need to check out their program and their plans. So, how do you avoid these scams? To be eligible for SSI cash benefits, your countable resources must be less than $2,000 for an individual, and $3,000 . What is the Flex Card for Seniors? An ad saying there was $2,880 available in a Medicare Flex Card looked like a windfall to Laurence Archer. By. - Jeff R. Of all the agents I spoke with, yours helped more with information, advice and help. Were always tempted to cave to our anxiety and offer them our private details. When it comes to flex cards, its worth reading the fine print to make sure youre eligible for a card before agreeing to the plan. What conditions are part of the Medicare Advantage plan that goes along with the card? A deadline of September 30th, however, must be met. However, many of these ads can be confusing or misleading. 855-487-0142. It helped me a lot to understand what the Flex card is about. Our new $1.5 million direct cash transfer pilot program, Strong Families, Strong Future DC will provide $900 per month for one year to 132 new and expectant mothers in Wards 5, 7, and 8. If the healthcare service being provided is covered by the flex card, cardholders would swipe the card at point-of-sale (POS) terminals to pay for services, and the amount is deducted from the account. You May Like: Do Post Offices Have Notaries. If the Medicare plan offered $1000 of Dental benefits and the Flex card has a $500 allowance then you would have a total benefit of $1500. I am so glad for the information. But $2800 Flex card for seniors will be considered a health . So for that reason I say stick it in your ear thank you very much. A lack of reviews, websites, or social media pages could indicate that a company or agent is new to the industry, or it could suggest that theyre not being honest about their business practices. So, below we compare the costs for the same medical bill through Medicare Supplement Plan G and a typical Medicare Advantage HMO plan. In most cases, the flex card is tied to a flexible spending account (FSA). When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. Your email address will not be published. The average SNAP benefit for seniors is $105/month A common myth about SNAP is that it only gives $16 worth of benefits per month. Youve probably seen TV commercials and ads online promoting a free Flex Card for seniors or Medicare Flex Card. Learn what some Flex Card benefits may offer and whether it's something that may be useful to you. A Medicare Advantage Flex Card is a prepaid debit card you can use to pay for specific health care costs. Enter your ZIP code to pull plan options available in your area. Last year ,2021, we got 50 and 500 but found out in November we could buy anything. Housing help. Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. Avoid captive agents whenever possible. You cant use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. Heres what you need to know about flex cards and their function. 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. Health insurance is complicated enough without worrying about these bad actors, but its something we have to always be vigilant about. Historically, the open enrollment period between October and December is a prime time for scammers who want to prey on seniors because this is when seniors can change their health care plans. 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. Despite a recent uptick in online advertising, however, these cards remain relatively rare. The Medicare flex card is a prepaid debit card that helps eligible seniors pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs and other approved items. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, I'm 61 years old and on Medicaid,can I get a Flex card. A non-government site powered by Health Insurance Associates, LLC., a health insurance agency. Only a small number of private insurance companies offer flex cards, and even then, it . cash assistance You can even add a flex card to your Amazon account for eligible purchases. Flex card offers that claim to give you free money are also a red flag because, put simply, they arent giving you free money. In fact, we could not find any plans that offer Flex Cards with a benefit anywhere near that amount of money. Assurances license information can be found here. That's a lot less than . In fact, many of the advertisements were downright deceptive and implied that the seniors flex card was basically free money that all seniors could get. How Much Does It Cost To Refinance A Home? SNAP Were here to help you make the right decision for your dental care needs and explain when Medicare covers dental services. They might not always be giving you the best advice for your situation. The whole point of the flex card for seniors is to lure seniors into enrolling in new Medicare Advantage plans while its open enrollment season. Next, make sure that you are not following the advice of someone who has ulterior motives. 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. To apply for flex card benefits, contact your Medicare Advantage provider. The spending allowance deposited on most cards is only a few hundred dollars. Select which Medicare plans you would like to compare in your area. Flex cards hold money that can be used like a debit card to pay for certain medical expenses, like doctors visits, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and other out-of-pocket medical expenses. Medicare does not issue the flex card. As a result, any money loaded onto a flex card is offset by payments somewhere else. The Flex card is NOT a cash card and cant be used to get FREE money or cash back. Once we are notified, we will order cards for the new members, based on the enrollment information received from the employer. Cash Services: Flex Card Program. You cant use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. Home / FAQs / Medicare Coverage / What Dental Services Are Covered by Medicare. Most of the time it is a combined benefit annually to be used for either dental, vision or hearing. Seniors can get their "Medicare Flex Card" for a limited time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Flex card for seniors is not something thats offered by Medicare. This is a marketing tool of the private company and gets you to change your Medicare Advantage plan to another company. The average flex card in 2022 is pre-loaded with $500. And you just might be surprised when the benefit you called for isnt available in your area, or you dont qualify for it. Even if you do everything right, you could still be a victim of Medicare fraud. here. . Lastly, you can look for help through independent organizations. In my experience, the best way to find a trustworthy Medicare counselor is to reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging. 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 theyre often marketed to seniors on Medicare. If you complete a purchase using one of our links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get affordable hearing aids that dont break the bank. Since then, Nicole has been dedicated to helping low income families in crisis. As a general guideline, you should never provide private information online to unknown businesses. For example, they may only be offered by certain private insurance companies in certain states, and even then, only for customers on select plans or who meet specific criteria. The cards are not provided by Medicare. If you are having difficulty covering your health care expenses on your own, there are legitimate Medicare resources that can provide assistance. Start with some basic research by searching for the company or agents name online and seeing what comes up. Advertisements that claim or indicate that flex cards are being offered by government agencies are, therefore, patently false. Getting a senior flex card starts with finding a private health insurance provider that offers these cards as part of their Medicare Advantage plans. This is because flex cards are offered as part of private insurers Medicare Advantage plans, not as stand-alone items. . But the cards are not provided through Medicare -- the US insurance program for people 65 and older -- and experts say that such ads should be approached with caution, warning that some exaggerate eligibility and benefits. As a result, its worth asking your prospective provider-specific questions and demanding clear answers in return. The new card will not affect Medicare benefits. This year that benefit happens to be the Flex card for seniors. The money on these cards is offered in addition to existing insurance coverage and allows cardholders to use them as they see fit. You may also want to contact your primary care doctor and local pharmacist to head off any attempts by scammers to use your information. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Get a personalized Home Insurance quote now. You can also review your plans benefits on Medicare.gov. 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. certain items that can be purchased with an EBT card. Transportation - Receive a certain amount of rides at no cost. Suppose you do not enroll in Original Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period and do not have creditable coverage in place. Also, be wary of live gurus who have their own plans. If your provider does offer these cards, ask for details about the total amount available, what services are covered, and if any unused balances roll over to the next year. If you have a Medigap policy that covers the Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. These optional plans combine Medicare and additional services into healthcare packages tailored specifically for seniors. Flex cards are an additional benefit to Medicare Advantage plans. At worst, it could result in you being scammed. You should always consult with a knowledgeable, unbiased Medicare advisor before making significant changes to your health care coverage. Fact Checked. You should be eligible for Original Medicare before signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan. Flex card advertisements are designed to generate interest with bold statements, but can be short on details. Eligibility for the Seniors Flex Cards. They can be used to buy medical equipment, medical expenses, and certain other items. Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. If the Medicare plan offered $1000 of Dental benefits and the Flex card has a $500 allowance then you would have a total benefit of $1500. If youre a member of a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers flex cards, be sure to read through your contract to understand what you can purchase with it.Some plans will allow you to use Medicare flex cards to pay for anything, while others will only allow you to purchase health-related items, such as: You May Like: Citizen Complaints Against Police Officers. If you want to find a Medicare Plan that offers a Flex Card then call us at (800) 783-5901. Fraud may also be carried out by companies who offer services that they never deliver or who obtain customers personal data and then use it to commit identity theft. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides nutritious, domestically-sourced USDA foods to low-income persons 60 years or older. You're just a few steps away from seeing your Medicare plan options, Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. A flexible spending account, or flex card, is a type of flexible spending account that reimburses medical expenses. Even with the flex card benefit, the Medicare Advantage HMO plan still produces higher out-of-pocket costs than the Medicare Supplement Plan G. In fact, a recent study by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance shows that a higher number of people are enrolling in Medicare Supplement Plan G to help save money on out-of-pocket costs. It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. 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). 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. ). Social Security 1-877-372-3337. Many states have a Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program that can assist you in navigating these complex benefits. The largest legitimate flex plan I found included a $1,000 flex card and a $50 monthly debit card for other out-of-pocket costs, for a total of $1,600 per year. Its a pre -paid debit type card such as Visa or Mastercard that can be used toward the cost of extra Dental, Vision, and Hearing services. They are offered as a benefit to some customers by private insurance companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans. The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time. Few seniors participate in SNAP Only 2 out of 5 eligible adults over age 60 are enrolled in SNAP. You should be careful in everything you do, not just online. Once you receive your Humana Spending Account Card in the mail, you must activate it before you can use it. Do not give them your name, address, Medicare number, Social Security number, or other personal information. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has allowed private insurance companies to offer a new benefit-like-debit card (flex card). 2. Its very important to be careful with where you put your information online. Monthly benefits are transferred to the seniors' personal Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT . A flex card for seniors is a debit card offered by certain private Medicare Advantage providers. Please note that this line is for HEARING AIDS and not for information about the Flex Cards. They are offered by private health insurance companies as an additional benefit to their members. 3, Report #820758. You should automatically receive your flex debit card in the mail around the beginning of your plan A Guide for Older Adults . Home / Blog / Medicare News / Does Medicare Have a Flex Card for Seniors? If you are looking to reduce your healthcare spending, enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan could be a step in the right direction. college Fortunately, Medicare Advantage plans do not require beneficiaries to answer underwriting health questions to enroll, so you will not face denial due to a pre-existing condition. Independent agents work with a wide variety of providers, whereas captive agents work with only one or two providers. The money will be debited immediately from your balance when you use your Flex Card to make a purchase. Facebook posts advertise a "Medicare Flex Card" that seniors can use to pay for expenses such as groceries. The purpose of this site is the solicitation of insurance. To learn more, Reach out Today at NewMedicare. In fact, many of the advertisements were downright deceptive and implied . Get financial help for seniors from 2,500+ federal, state, and private benefits programs. The senior flex card is usually linked to a Medicare Advantage plan. 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. Flex cards share some similarities with flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which can be used to pay for deductibles, copayments, and prescriptions. Ultimately, you are responsible for your financial and other decisions. The flex card for seniors offer is typically tied to a Medicare Advantage plan. students Instead, stop all contact with the scammer and report the scam to the authorities. 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. 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. However, this is entirely not true. Are the flex card for seniors legitimate or a scam? Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account. The advertisements include claims that lead beneficiaries to believe they can receive a flex card with up to $2,880 from Medicare to spend as they choose. There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. newly Eligible employees can enroll in FSAFEDS during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. Additionally, there may be any fraud that can attract you to go plans by any risky platforms. Remember, when you enroll in Original Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, you may be responsible for paying late enrollment fees. Health plans with a WEX Medicare Advantage flex card are versatile to provide members flexibility on how and where to spend supplemental dollars on various eligible healthcare costs, such as: Flex Cards are not compatible with Medicare Supplement InsuranceMedicare Supplements are additional insurance policies that Medicare beneficiaries can purchase to cover the gaps in their Original Medicare health insurance coverage. How can you lower the costs of your groceries and still get the nutritious food that will keep you . Government-provided Medicare plans do not come with a flex card. Seniors expect to have to provide sensitive personal information, like their name, Social Security Number, Medicare information and even bank information during this process, so its even easier than usual for scammers to get this information. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The devil is in the details. Medicare beneficiaries often wonder if their coverage includes dental services. No such program exists and Social Security benefits are limited to certain groups . Some would half do the work, ask for money or take money . Learn about programs and resources for older adults. Get a personalized Auto Insurance quote now. ShopMyExchange: 5 Super Deals for Veterans. Posted on Published: November 22, 2021- Last updated: November 17, 2022. 2023 we got one card for both food and medical. The General Enrollment Period runs annually from January 1 to March 31. Employees can contribute up to $2,850 per year to their FSA, and employers may also contribute if they choose. Senior Flex Card. Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. 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. Our service is 100% free and were happy to help you. Threaten to cancel your older adults health benefits if they dont share their current Medicare number or other personal information. To make sure you don't fall victim to this scam . Unfortunately, Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care. veterans. Tap Below To Call & Qualify! Our popular Dental Plan includes Vision and Hearing options. Some providers add in clauses that specify certain thresholds for eligibility, such as plan type or medical history, meaning you could sign up for a plan only to discover you wont be getting a flex card. Starting in late summer 2021, advertisements started to appear everywhere offering a senior flex card. Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. Its always good to work with a licensed broker who can guide you. You can do this online at Healthy Benefits Plus or by calling 855-256-4620 (TTY: 711). But in some cases, fraud may be more subtle. To help reduce the risk of flex card-based fraud, its worth watching out for common red flags. Sample Disclosures Of Management Why Corporate Governance Matters: Board Diversity Citizen Complaints Against Police Officers, United States Post Office Change Of Address Form, How To Report Harassing Text Messages To The Police, a recent illness, injury, accident or surgery that led to a decline in function or movement, a flare-up or worsening of symptoms from a previous fall, accident, surgery, or chronic condition that led to a decline in function or movement. Ashlee Zareczny is the Compliance Supervisor for MedicareFAQ. 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. seniors Further, the ads tend to be unclear about which items are eligible for purchase with flex cards. Flex cards are only available with Medicare Advantage plans. Millions of Americans could now be eligible to get their "Flex Card" to spend up to $2,880/year free of charge. Medicare will never call you uninvited to request personal or private information in order for you to get your new Medicare number and card. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services. Depending on the advertisement, some claimed these cards could be worth $2,880 or more! Final Expense Life Insurance Explained: Is It The Right Choice For You? Flex cards are not administered by the Federal Government and are not considered insurance. 04:11 PM. 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. Some may offer plans that include flex cards to customers who have been with the company for a certain length of time or may make these cards part of a tiered pricing system that requires customers to purchase plans with higher deductibles or copayments. When you sign up for Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, your coverage goes into effect on the first day of the following month. Dont fall victim to online scams. Not all Medicare Advantage plans participate in this program. . 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. In order to qualify for a flex card, you must qualify for a health insurance plan with a flexible spending account. It covers doctor visits, preventative care, tests, durable medical equipment, and supplies. You cant use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. The card also has no role in government-funded programs. Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). Getting a card means signing up for a new insurance plan, which comes with its own set of costs, benefits, and coverage limits. Cape Coral, FL 33914 You can deposit money onto a Flex Card. 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. It has two parts. We strive to provide up-to-date information but make no warranties regarding the accuracy of our information. The reason of course is to get you to respond or call so they can enroll you in a Medicare plan. Verify: Can Medicare recipients receive a free Medicare flex card? Flex cards are not available in every state or with every carrier. For example, flex card providers may make claims about their cards that are not outright lies, but are misleading. But most of the time, youll be drawn to a scam that will take all your money. The card will be linked to a flexible savings account and will have a spending limit. 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. Enrollment Assistance. For more information about the new Medicare card, visit the CMS new card information page. 1. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1800MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day/7 days a week to get information on all of your options. Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. pets Details such as your Doctor visit and facility co-pays, prescription drug costs, and other medical costs. In order to qualify for a flex card, you must qualify for a health insurance plan with a flexible spending account. As a licensed Medicare agent in all 50 states, she is dedicated to educating those eligible for Medicare by providing the necessary resources and tools. first time home buyer programs 2022 GovernmentDigest.net | Contact us: contact@governmentdigest.net. Thanks EIP! Pre-loaded health cards offer a way to pay for services upfront but not out of pocket. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. If a scammer calls you or your older adult to ask for their Medicare number or other personal information, hang up immediately. SilverSneakers Now Offers Apple Fitness+ Benefit, Do Not Sell nor Share My Personal Information. Author: Nicole Smith Created Date: 11/1/2021 2:59:08 PM . What Is Permanent Life Insurance and How Does It Work? . Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), What to Do If Youre a Victim of Medicare Fraud. items. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area.