Its also worrisome if theres no information to be found at all. It can be almost impossible to differentiate between the paid agents and the legitimate unbiased experts. 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. Several attendences from government funded agency were sent, but they would take advantage of his situation. Low Income Relief is an informational website that provides tips, advice, and information to help you make ends meet. Truthfully, Medicare is not distributing flex cards for seniors. Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. Typically, Medicare Flex Cards have pre-determined . 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. For example, one plan might offer a flex card with $2,000 pre-loaded on the card at the beginning of each year that is then topped up to $2,000 every year thereafter. Although the flex card is an enticing offer, you need to make sure that you arent sacrificing other precious health care benefits to get it. military Some would half do the work, ask for money or take money . 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insurance company not UHC reps are one page ahead of you in the book not knowledgeable, Your email address will not be published.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. homeless First, take the time to verify that the company or agent youre dealing with is legitimate. Medicare Flex Cards are debit cards offered by private Medicare Advantage providers and insurance companies. A deadline of September 30th, however, must be met. The money will be debited immediately from your balance when you use your Flex Card to make a purchase. Hi Theresa. 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. Truthfully, Medicare is not distributing flex cards for seniors. Jagger Esch is the Medicare expert for MedicareFAQ and the founder, president, and CEO of Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ.com. In 2022, the average Flex Card will have a $500 pre-loaded balance. However, this is entirely not true. health - Dwight D. It is common to have many Medicare-related questions running through your mind at any given time. You can do this online at Healthy Benefits Plus or by calling 855-256-4620 (TTY: 711). How can you protect yourself from scammers and bad actors? Medicare Supplement plans help beneficiaries reduce out-of-pocket spending by covering the holes in Original Medicare. help 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? Thanks EIP! You can't use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. However, when it comes to dental coverage on Medicare, you are not without options. food stamps If you see an advertisement for a free flex card or an Original Medicare flex card, it's probably not legitimate. Flex cards are an additional benefit to Medicare Advantage plans. Key Takeaways. They may be advantageous to seniors who have a Medicare plan. Despite a recent uptick in online advertising, however, these cards remain relatively rare. It helped me a lot to understand what the Flex card is about. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, your provider will ask for personal and medical information to determine the overall cost of your plan and the best mix of coverages and limits that work for you. What is a Life Insurance Annuity And How Does it Work? When you visit the doctor or need to purchase medical supplies, you simply swipe the card to pay for the purchase. Medicare will never call you uninvited to request personal or private information in order for you to get your new Medicare number and card. These flex cards are only available from a select few private insurance companies and only with a limited number of plans. Assurance IQ is a licensed representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PPFS organizations and prescription drug plans with a Medicare contract. Hi Audrey. As a senior who has qualified for Medicare, you must choose a Medical . "It was stated it was set up by the government with Medicare for senior citizens . As you may know from our previous video on Medicare benefits, Medicare has many parts and is very complicated. 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. What conditions are part of the Medicare Advantage plan that goes along with the card? 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. Qualified employees can enroll in the business retirement plan during the first 60 days after experiencing a QLE, such as marriage or the birth of a child. Mar 7, 2022. Flex cards are tied to health insurance, and these flex card for seniors are actually a health insurance marketing tactic designed to lure seniors into switching to specific Medicare Advantage plans. These cards are offered only by insurance companies that provide these flexible cards. If you are searching for a Flex Card, one way to start is by contacting your current provider to see if they offer one. Its also worth noting that theres no set amount for flex cards. discounts When you sign up for Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, your coverage goes into effect on the first day of the following month. However, it isnt difficult to see how private insurance companies can use them in a slimy way to promote free money and free Flex Cards. 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. However, most of the time these cards do not have that high of an amount (in 2023 the average was $500) and the funds . For questions about how to use your card, call the member help line at 855-396-0691 (TTY: 711). If it seems to be any fraudulent activities, you should keep away from those sources. Senior Care. Just a couple less than honest sales people. Many states have a Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program that can assist you in navigating these complex benefits. So you will need to make sure your new plans network covers your physicians. Yet, this depends on how long you delayed Medicare benefits without creditable coverage. These optional plans combine Medicare and additional services into healthcare packages tailored specifically for seniors. Burial reimbursement for a COVID-19 death. You can report scams online with the FTC complaint assistant or by a phone call. Unlike flex cards, however, FSAs are linked to health insurance plans that are offered through employment. However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. The blog notes that the cards are distributed by Medicare Advantage plans and says they are not available in every state and are not available with every carrier. These ads usually include a multitude of misleading or false claims. Information is available in English and Spanish. financial assistance Monthly benefits are transferred to the seniors' personal Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT . By. Another option for dental coverage is to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with dental benefits. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Although flex cards do come pre-loaded with a set dollar amount you can use, the benefits of this money may be offset by additional out-of-pocket costs such as higher deductibles, higher coinsurance rates, and higher monthly premiums. Health insurance is complicated enough without worrying about these bad actors, but its something we have to always be vigilant about. Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and . For example, theCalifornia Department of Insuranceoffers their Check a License tool that provides both license status and any records of disciplinary action, and many states departments of insurance have similar resources. The name flex card harkens to what some of us know as a flexible spending account that reimburses for medical expenses. We were unable to find any Flex Cards that actually had the $2,880 that they originally advertised. Im not saying its the government doing this. veterans. Its very important to be careful with where you put your information online. Once you receive your Humana Spending Account Card in the mail, you must activate it before you can use it. In fact, we could not find any plans that offer Flex Cards with a benefit anywhere near that amount of money. This year that benefit happens to be the Flex card for seniors. Threaten to cancel your older adults health benefits if they dont share their current Medicare number or other personal information. Ultimately, the amount of money that you may be able to receive on a flex card varies depending on where you live and what plan you select. Last year ,2021, we got 50 and 500 but found out in November we could buy anything. Also Check: Getting Passport At Post Office. But most of the time, youll be drawn to a scam that will take all your money. However, the costs for these plans vary and not all seniors are eligible for them. What is the Flex Card for Seniors? According to one commercial, you can use the card for gas, groceries, new clothing, and shoes. How can you protect yourself from Medicare scams? This post may contain affiliate links. Ask your older adult to confirm their Medicare number or Social Security number so a new card can be mailed out. The . . Additionally, Ashlee trains new and tenured Medicare agents on CMS compliance guidelines. Not all private insurers offer flex cards, and not all flex card programs are created equal. Ultimately, you are responsible for your financial and other decisions. 1. 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. Always be aware of whats going on around you, and dont let anyone approach you without your permission. The cards are not provided by Medicare. 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. Depending on how many times you spend your money, you will have the same limits as on the other cards that youve got. These criteria vary based on the provider. So, here are 3 ways you can protect yourself from most Medicare frauds. 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. If you are having difficulty covering your health care expenses on your own, there are legitimate Medicare resources that can provide assistance. The senior flex card is usually linked to a Medicare Advantage plan. How Much Does It Cost To Refinance A Home? 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. Is the full amount provided upfront or over a period of time? In the case of Original Medicare fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or report online at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. 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. 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. Its always good to work with a licensed broker who can guide you. Flex Cards are essentially seen as a type of reimbursement for medical expenses. The government does not set up Flex Card but these are connected to a specific health insurance plan. Our popular Dental Plan includes Vision and Hearing options. members to the flexible spending program who need a flex debit card. coronavirus While the claim may be objectively true, consider how these funds are dispersed. Enter your ZIP code to pull plan options available in your area. It is usually an annual benefit that can be used for dental, eye, or hearing care. 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. However, you cant just spend flex card money on anything. Only talk to them if they approach you first. Call 211 to find agencies and community organizations that can assist you with finding food in an emergency. These optional plans combine Medicare and additional services into healthcare packages tailored specifically for seniors. 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. They cover some of the out-of-pocket costs built into Medicare Part A and Part B, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsuranceCoinsurance is a percentage of the total you are required to pay for a medical service. You can deposit money onto a Flex Card. Since the free money associated with these cards is enticing, scammers get many people to fall for their tricks. Flex card offers that claim to give you free money are also a red flag because, put simply, they arent giving you free money. 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. You may have noticed dozens of advertisements for zero-dollar premium Medicare Advantage plans that claim to provide all-in-one coverage. medical assistance Even if you do everything right, you could still be a victim of Medicare fraud. Boca Raton, Florida. At best, it will be annoying. You should always consult with a knowledgeable, unbiased Medicare advisor before making significant changes to your health care coverage. Pre-loaded health cards offer a way to pay for services upfront but not out of pocket. That just doesnt make sense for most people. You May Like: Do Post Offices Have Notaries. Here are three techniques to guard against the majority of Medicare frauds. The General Enrollment Period runs annually from January 1 to March 31. 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. you can get a Flex Card worth up to $2,880 from Medicare. Services allow blatantly misleading and false advertising about Medicare benefits? Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications. 2023 we got one card for both food and medical. Diagnostic devices. You should be eligible for Original Medicare before signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan. . Therefore, if the Flex card has a $500 allowance and the Medicare plan offers, let's say, $1000 in dental benefits, your total benefit for the year would be $1500. They can be used to buy medical equipment, medical expenses, and certain other items. benefits What they dont tell you is that this is basically just a flex card with a new and exciting name. Medicare Flex Cards vs. * Your information is 100% protected. The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time. For example, the flex card can be used for the following expenses: Medicare Flex Card Coverages. 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. . A public service connecting you to services for older adults and their families. RMP Millions of Americans could now be eligible to get their "Flex Card" to spend up to $2,880/year free of charge. Going forward, I am happy to know he will be my contact person. TTY 1-800-952-0450. . 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. Many of the flex card offers I found were only available for enrollees in specific states. No such program exists and Social Security benefits are limited to certain groups . Participating providers send qualifying seniors a Medicare flex card for food. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. So make sure you know which are. The deadline for compliance is September 30 after that, there will be repercussions for noncompliance. Heres what you need to know about flex cards and their function. First, never give your personal information to any company that you do not know, especially online. here. Government-provided Medicare plans do not come with a flex card. coinsurance, you basically already have a Flex Card for all Medicare-approved expenses. They are offered as a benefit to some . Cash Services: Flex Card Program. A Facebook post says that senior citizens can get a Medicare "flex card" that pays for groceries and prescriptions. Flex cards are currently only available for Medicare Advantage plans, not for any other Medicare program. 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. Final Expense Life Insurance Explained: Is It The Right Choice For You? The money in your FSA can be used on your parents if they qualify as your dependent. He is what is known as a captive agent because he only works with one insurer in this case, its United Healthcare. Low Income Relief is not a bank or financial institution and we do not provide cash or financial products.Low Income Relief is part of The Lighthouse Information Network LLC, a content creation company owned by Nicole Thelin and based in Utah, USA. Thats far less than the $2,880 that I originally saw advertised. Since insurance operates on the risk-reduction model, this information is relevant to help your provider create an accurate insurance quote. You cant use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. Social Security Retirement Benefits, USA Medicare Plan Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. This might include higher deductible payments, larger copayment percentages, or an increase in your average healthcare premium. New Medicare Benefit Gives Seniors "Flex Card' To Spend $2,880 Every Year Free Of Charge. Would be nice if we knew what we can buy. Most legitimate organizations require you to reach out first; they wont contact you unsolicited. So, to qualify, you must have a participating policy. She has over 20 years of professional research and writing experience, and she has been solely dedicated to investigating low income topics for the last 10 years. As a result, its worth asking your prospective provider-specific questions and demanding clear answers in return. What are the costs of premiums and deductibles on the flex card plan compared to those without a flex card option? When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Housing help. state parks Plus, they will not call to ask about bank information. ShopMyExchange: 5 Super Deals for Veterans. . Medicare does not issue the flex card. So, we are here to clear the air about one product the flex card for seniors on Medicare. Benefits.gov is home to a range of information on senior related resources offered by our Federal Partners. You may find out that the flex card for seniors is just a distraction from damaging fine print that would put you in a far worse financial situation overall. 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. The purpose of the flex card for seniors is to entice them into enrolling in new Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment season. Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. If you have a Medigap policy that covers the Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. If someone calls you & asks for your personal information, thats a big warning sign. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides nutritious, domestically-sourced USDA foods to low-income persons 60 years or older. You should automatically receive your flex debit card in the mail around the beginning of your plan Medicare Flex Cards for seniors are only available on certain Medicare Advantage Plans. In addition, policyholders cannot carry both Medigap and Medicare Advantage insurance. You also have to be wary of in-person advisors with an agenda. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. While flex cards may be offered as part of Medicare Advantage plans, there is no government flex card for seniors. 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. You're just a few steps away from seeing your Medicare plan options, Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. Because Medicare supplement plans also called Medigap are designed to help offset out-of-pocket costs for services that are not covered by Original Medicare, flex cards are not available with these plans. Enrollment Assistance. 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. You May Like: Razor Company That Supports Police. There is a lot of government department and platform to provide free government money for seniors over 50. Then, report it by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by going to the FTC website. The flex card for seniors offer is typically tied to a Medicare Advantage plan. 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. A Guide for Older Adults . Our service is 100% free and were happy to help you. 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. For more information about the new Medicare card, visit the CMS new card information page. Misconceptions about Medicare flex cards. While this could be true under rare circumstances, a licensed physician must deem these items medically necessary. However, if your prospective flex card plan is asking for personal information to provide you with a high-level overview of the plan, this is a red flag. In my experience, the best way to find a trustworthy Medicare counselor is to reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging. There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. But in some cases, fraud may be more subtle. Required fields are marked *. We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today. 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. 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. 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. jobs 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. Medicare Flex Card for Seniors: An Overview. Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans throughout the nation. 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. Money-Saving Benefits for Seniors. Educational assistance. The amount that comes preloaded on the card and the services and items you are allowed to spend it on is determined by your Medicare Advantage provider. Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement. As a senior citizen, you may qualify for assistance programs that can help with health care costs, nutrition, and access to community volunteer activities and employment opportunities, among other benefits. Medicare is very complicated as it has many parts. Thank you. The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. Seniors can get their "Medicare Flex Card" for a limited time. To protect your older adult from Medicare card scams, educate them about 3 common techniques that con artists may use. Part B is medical coverage.. He does not make any commission on any other plans, so he steers everyone toward United Healthcare even if it isnt in their best interests. Buy healthy food online or in person. Senior people over 50 are prone to . Part A is hospital coverage. Diagnostic devices (blood sugar test kits, etc. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You need to check out their program and their plans. ). 10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Life Insurance Options. Save Money on Current Coverage I am so glad for the information. Your email address will not be published. In such a case, you will need to wait until the General Enrollment Period to sign up for Original Medicare. The main benefit of a flex card is the additional funds to pay for the expenses of medical supplies. How Does an EBT Card Work? library Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. 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. Learn about programs and resources for older adults. Medicaid Money on the card can be used to pay for specific health services, such as dental or vision care, prescriptions, or even healthy groceries. Visa flex card I got a email from the flex card program that said I could get up to 10,000 in credit. Benefits for Seniors Through SSA 7 key facts about SNAP benefits for seniors. The purpose of this site is the solicitation of insurance. If youve provided any credit card information, notify your card provider and cancel the cards to reduce the risk of any fraudulent spending.