Since she is already on an advantage plan for the rest of the year would she get ANY benefit from a Flex card? She stated she did not know why. You were smart to ask questions. Maybe one of the agencies I listed can help you. There are a few things you must do to qualify for a senior flex card. Provide them with your personal information, like your name, address, and other identifying information, to get signed up. Is the Jitterbug Smart2 User Friendly? $40. 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. . Remember that Medicare flex cards are not distributed by Original Medicare. Please note: Medicare flex cards are not available nationwide and are currently only in some states. The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. And that it is free. When was the last time the government did something right? Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and . 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. Some plans may require a doctor's certification of a chronic illness. Scam Alerts for Seniors Part 2, What is a Scam and How to Avoid Them? - Ray C. My agent was outstanding. Not all Medicare Advantage plans come with a flex card either. Thanks, Barbara. There is no way she could understand and much less do research and calculations. All Rights Reserved. iPad. Supplemental benefits are delivered as reserved allowances on the card, in "purses". 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. iPhone. Since this is essentially free money that the insurance company is giving you, the higher the amount, the better. She said TX. First, you must be eligible for Medicare. However, this may not be so simple. Cosmetic services are not covered. Come on, nothing is free. Home / Blog / Medicare News / Does Medicare Have a Flex Card for Seniors? ), A flex card may not cost any additional cost beyond your Medicare Advantage premiums, but that does not mean that it is free. While this could be true under rare circumstances, a licensed physician must deem these items medically necessary. Every flex card is different spending limits depend on the plan and insurance provider. This flex card isnt what it claims to be. Again: Bravo! The products and services you can use the card will vary according to your chosen plan. Why? Additionally, Ashlee trains new and tenured Medicare agents on CMS compliance guidelines. You can visit Medicare.gov to see what plans are available in your area. Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. This card, though, has to be linked with a Medicare Advantage Plan that does actually cost money. These cards pay copays for certain services, buy over-the-counter products and supplies, and even healthy food. Vital Rx Flex | Flex Rx Flex | Flex Rx PPO Monthly Premium 1. Info For Inquiring Minds! However, to participate in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be willing to abide by strict networks and higher out-of-pocket costs. Now I had heard nothing of these problems from my other dentist! She's been contributing to many well-known publications since 2017. Barbara, Hi Barbara, The flex cards biggest benefit is the ability to prioritize funds for your specific needs. Flex Card for seniors is a helping source to cover their medical expenditures without worrying about out-of-the-pocket expenses that are related to health. A Medicare flex card such as the Anthem Benefits Prepaid Card gives you convenient access to benefits your plan provides. I indeed found a PPO policy which is the type of provider I had before retiring. What can you do with the Medicare Flex Card? If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 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. Truthfully, Medicare is not distributing flex cards for seniors. The choice is ultimately yours. Great information and yes I always do my homework. If you do not want to share your information please click on, Insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans. Barbara. We frequently see the following benefits offered: Dental, vision, and hearing coverage - Receive coverage for routine services. Medicare Advantage utility cards. 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. Ill settle for my $320 a month premium and not pay a dime extra. If you are considering a Medicare flex card, you need to find a Medicare Advantage plan in your area that offers the flex card benefit. These help purchase pre-approved items like medical equipment and more. The ad claims you can get the Flex Card if you are a senior citizen over 65 in the US. Ashlee Zareczny is the Compliance Supervisor for MedicareFAQ. All rights reserved. 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. These cards are usually linked to a debit or credit card, work like an FSA, and can be a valuable plan to offset the costs of specific Medicare benefits. They take more than they give. Medicare advertisements are constantly flooding our screens. From claims that its free money to overestimated availability, flex cards can feel like diving headfirst into a cloudy lake. FlexCard Contact: Fitness membership $0 or low premium Transportation 1-855-460-6667 (TTY: 711) 7 days a week, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m . This tool makes it easy to search for and compare plans in your area. Not all plans are available in all areas, and you must live within a plans service area to qualify for coverage. Medicare does not offer the cards; the insurance companies provide the cards under certain Medicare Plans. Its really overwhelming being seniors and having to navigate scams while trying to be healthy and protect ourselves from so much, including physical crimes. However, they all require beneficiaries to pick up their Medicare Advantage plans. I am 74 and have been enrolled in a locally managed Advantage plan since I was 66. Flex cards are not a necessary benefit of a Medicare Supplement plan because Medigap beneficiaries typically save on out-of-pocket costs compared to Medicare Advantage plans. What years did you serve in the military? Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. Flex cards are not available through Medicare supplement plans (Medigap plans). And enjoy all the PayFlex Card has to offer. And Its Free! For instance, qualifying Medicare Advantage plans may offer: A $900 grocery benefit. Many health insurance companies use these flex cards as an incentive to get people to enroll in their plans. Flex cards are debit cards that are used to buy medical supplies and equipment. If you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in your state, you will receive an . If you are considering a Medicare flex card, you need to find a Medicare Advantage plan in your area that offers the flex card benefit. 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. I am not going to use the name of the company. Barbara. . Luke is passionate about 3 things, and 3 things only: senior insurance, football, and food! I dont want to give you the wrong advice. It helped me a lot to understand what the Flex card is about. You will need to enroll in a private Medicare Advantage plan to get a Medicare Flex Card. But if you havent cancelled your old policy, you should still be able to use it. And you can get it for free, and get up to $2,800. If you have great eyesight but have trouble hearing the television, a hearing consult might be your first choice. Many companies give you the option of checking your balance online. . If I have helped one person to not be ripped off, then I am happy. So, how do you avoid these scams? I know the money is taken out of her social security check. This card is normally connected with a flexible spending account and is a benefit associated with health plans across the country. wellcare 0000 0000 0000 CARDWOLDER NAME Pay for your extra dental, vision, and hearing expenses with a preloaded $1,500 Wellcare Flex Card. Flex cards are only available to enrollees of qualified Medicare Advantage plans. Once you have confirmed that you are eligible for Medicare coverage, it is time to find a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the flex card benefit. members to the flexible spending program who need a flex debit card. You will need to wait until the annual open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. This card would allow beneficiaries to use funds from the private insurance carrier for medical services. Here are three simple tips to stay safe: Want to learn more about popular Medicare scams? I would dispose of the card, and yes, cut it up. Flex cards have been used in the past to lure in seniors by overpromising availability and use when, in fact, they are not common. Senior Flex Card. Not all cards have the same benefits. 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 The insurance companies want to make money off of you. Spending money in your account is easy with the PayFlex Card. I contacted them on a 1800 561 #. We seniors are one of the most targeted demographic for scams. Medicare supplement insurance is an extension of Original Medicare that helps pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare. Let the perk and extras, like flex cards, be the icing on the cake and not the reason to enroll. Even though we are seeing more private Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit, they arent common. Up to $5,100 in extra help paying for prescription medications. Often, Medicare Advantage plans have high maximum out-of-pocket costs. However, this is entirely not true. You won't be using yours to buy groceries or to put gas in the fuel tank. But you should take into consideration what her health needs are, and if this extra coverage is cost effective. You can pay for: 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. Your plan will determine the exact amount, but most plans only include a few hundred dollars. The top 3 Medicare Supplement plans for 2020 include Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. Find out which ones you're eligible for here. What Is A Medicare Flex Card Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. She found out about it after the first and so far only doctor visit this year. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. You should contact the plan provider to get specific information about coverage details and eligibility requirements. In-Network. Disclaimer:Medicare Allies is not affiliated with Medicare or any other government agency. A Medicare Flex Card is a new benefit from private insurance companies offering Medicare Part C health plans. Now I now it is not true, Dear Janet: Thank you so much for commenting. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I asked where she was calling from. When Will I Receive My Social Security Check? To be eligible, you must enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the card benefit. Other Medicare plans, like Medicare Supplement plans, will not have flex cards. 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. Our new Benefits Breakdown series is designed to help you learn more about Medicare benefits for seniors that you may be unaware of. Thanks EIP! I do not trust anything regarding Medicare free related. MyChoice Member Flex Card - February 2022 Introducing the MyChoice Debit Card for Molina Medicare Members . I also let my family know and friends be aware. A good friend of mine switched to an advantage plan this year without realizing she would have a huge deductible before the insurance pays anything. Reviews: Yes and No. We have to help each other to avoid being taken advantage of. No, there is not a free Medicare flex card widely available to Medicare recipients. Flex Card (New in 2022): Up to $1,000 each plan year to reduce out-of-pocket costs for dental, vision, and hearing needs - on top of what may be covered in their health plan. First of all, bless you for helping your Mom out. Others might opt for dental work. Thanks for your comment! So when you get old they price you right out of any type of plan G and force you into an advantage plan. In many cases, you can enroll for health care coverage with the company online. The flex card is one benefit that some plans offer. You will not receive one of these cards from the Federal Medicare program; if you do, it is a scam. You will simply need to contact the insurance company to get signed up. Many Medicare plans now offer Utility cards. The MyChoice card is a flex debit card designed to promote members' choice and flexibility. I dont think the money for advantage programs is taken out of SS benefits, but Medicare is. Co-payments and deductibles. Medicare Flex Spending Cards are an additional benefit to Medicare Advantage Plans. 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. Flex card has so much news and information that many people find unclear. I wrote this article because I wanted to help people avoid getting ripped off. There are several things that you can do to stay away from these traps. Using the Wellcare Medicare Flex Card. The average annual cost of a plan in 2022 was $500, but some plans can cost up to $2,880 per year. Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan requires you to meet the essential, 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. Copyright 2022 Medigap.com | All rights reserved | 382 NE 191st Street, Ste 57537, Miami, FL 33179. Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans throughout the nation. They cant help you. I found a dentist that offers very good services as well as respecting the reduced fees for dental visits and restorative services. According to one commercial, you can use the card for gas, groceries, new clothing, and shoes. . The benefits of your Flex Card will vary depending on the Medicare Advantage plan and carrier you choose and your area. If Original Medicare doesnt offer it, neither will your Medigap plan. Generally speaking, you may be able to use a flex card for things like: Some plans may stipulate that the flex cards can only be used for dental, vision and hearing while others may be less restrictive. - Jeff R. Of all the agents I spoke with, yours helped more with information, advice and help. (I know, I know; wishful thinking) I would like to share my experience. Want to know more? Rose, Thank you for your comment. Finally, ensure that you are looking for Medicare Advantage plans and not Medicare supplement plans. Guard your personal information and only share with trusted sources. Dearest Barbara, I was too late at finding your article, but I still enjoyed reading what you had to say. The insurance agent on the phone explained the same. 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