The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. Learn what some Flex Card benefits may offer and whether it's something that may be useful to you. Get a Life Insurance quote today. In order to qualify for a flex card, you must qualify for a health insurance plan with a flexible spending account. Several attendences from government funded agency were sent, but they would take advantage of his situation. Contact us at the number above or complete our online rate form to see affordable plans in your area today! Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. Getting a card means signing up for a new insurance plan, which comes with its own set of costs, benefits, and coverage limits. So, here are 3 ways you can protect yourself from most Medicare frauds. Unlike flex cards, however, FSAs are linked to health insurance plans that are offered through employment. 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. Further, the ads tend to be unclear about which items are eligible for purchase with flex cards. Medigap plans are a direct extension of Original Medicare, available through private insurance companies. Then you can get a flex card and the amount of money to spend through a flex card may highly depend on the type of Medicare Advantage plan you select. You should always consult with a knowledgeable, unbiased Medicare advisor before making significant changes to your health care coverage. Get a personalized Health Insurance quote now. It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. The Medicare flex card is a prepaid debit card that helps eligible seniors pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs and other approved items. This is a marketing . When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. 7 key facts about SNAP benefits for seniors. Heres a look at what flex cards are (and are not), how they work, how to get one, and how to protect yourself from potential flex card scams. They will explain the important details of the coverage in the plan. Private health plans do not advertise their cards. Boca Raton, Florida. So, to qualify, you must have a participating policy. Spending Limit for Medicare Flex Cards. Ps its a shame to treat seniors that way. These ads usually include a multitude of misleading or false claims. However, they all require beneficiaries to pick up their Medicare Advantage plans. Pre-loaded health cards offer a way to pay for services upfront but not out of pocket. These benefits arent available in all areas. 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. Medicare does not issue the flex card. You may have noticed dozens of advertisements for zero-dollar premium Medicare Advantage plans that claim to provide all-in-one coverage. Humana Honor, a Medicare Advantage plan in its third year and designed with U.S. military veterans in mind, will be available in 47 states, up from 46 in 2021. This year that benefit happens to be the Flex card for seniors. 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. If you suspect you are the victim of a scam, dont let the scammer know you are suspicious since this may prompt them to do something rash with your information, such as running up credit card debt or trying to sell your personal information online. In some cases, you can use your card to purchase healthy groceries at participating stores as well. To apply for flex card benefits, contact your Medicare Advantage provider. Educational assistance. 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. So, many legitimate insurance companies offer this benefit. 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. Benefits Counselors are available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 9:00pm eastern time. You can also contact Medicare directly via 1-800-Medicare or by online chat at Medicare.gov. He is what is known as a captive agent because he only works with one insurer in this case, its United Healthcare. These scammers often claim to be calling from Medicare and will lie and cheat to try to get your older adults current Social Security number-based Medicare number. Flex Cards are for use to cover qualifying medical expenses only. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services. This is because flex cards are offered as part of private insurers Medicare Advantage plans, not as stand-alone items. Christmas This is a scam. Medicaid There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. Sometimes you have to qualify for that type of plan or benefit based on your health needs and income such as being eligible for assistance programs such as Medicaid. Get a personalized Home Insurance quote now. The name flex card harkens to what some of us know as a flexible spending account that reimburses for medical expenses. Money on Medicare flex cards, meanwhile, is disbursed according to a schedule set by Medicare Advantage providers. What Is A Seniors Flex Card. The FTC accepts complaints about all scams, like imposter scams, phone calls, emails, computer support senior scams, prizes, grants, and sweepstakes offers, student loan or scholarship scams, fake checks, and demands for you to send money. Services allow blatantly misleading and false advertising about Medicare benefits? It helped me a lot to understand what the Flex card is about. Unfortunately, there are many scams out there today that advertise free flex cards. rent members to the flexible spending program who need a flex debit card. 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. As a result, any money loaded onto a flex card is offset by payments somewhere else. For example, if you enroll during March, your coverage will become effective on April 1. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. These costs may include: Flex cards are typically offered alongside health insurance plans. Much of the advertising about Medicare flex cards boasts that recipients can enjoy a starting balance of up to $2,880 in their accounts. Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. In 2022, this amount is$3,050 per year. Ashlee is a Medicare expert who specializes in Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D education. 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. Consider a company offering $2,000 flex cards. When your physician or nurse practitioner has referred you for physiotherapy after experiencing: You May Like: Post Office Change Of Address Form. Senior Care. SNAP If someone calls you & asks for your personal information, thats a big warning sign. He is featured in many publications as well as writes regularly for other expert columns regarding Medicare. Your remaining balance in your FSA, HSA or other healthcare account is displayed here. If youve provided any credit card information, notify your card provider and cancel the cards to reduce the risk of any fraudulent spending. Its also worth noting that theres no set amount for flex cards. Fact Checked. Many of the flex card offers I found were only available for enrollees in specific states. Medicare is very complicated as it has many parts. Although some major carriers offer plans with flex cards, they are not part of most available plans. For example, money may be added in a lump sum each year or in smaller amounts each quarter. 4706 Chiquita Blvd S. Suite 200-415 Phone: (800) 783-5901. first time home buyer programs Flex card has so much news and information that many people find unclear. Medicare flex cards for seniors are available exclusively through private insurance companies. They are offered by some private insurance companies through Medicare Advantage plans. cheap In reality, a very small percentage of plans available nationwide offer this benefit. Flex card advertisements are designed to generate interest with bold statements, but can be short on details. SilverSneakers Now Offers Apple Fitness+ Benefit, Do Not Sell nor Share My Personal Information. The Flex card is NOT a cash card and cant be used to get FREE money or cash back. To protect your older adult from Medicare card scams, educate them about 3 common techniques that con artists may use. Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. The card also has no role in government-funded programs. health This card would allow beneficiaries to use funds from the private insurance carrier for medical services. Next, make sure that you are not following the advice of someone who has ulterior motives. However, this is entirely not true. 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. Military funeral and burial honors. We were unable to find any Flex Cards that actually had the $2,880 that they originally advertised. You should automatically receive your flex debit card in the mail around the beginning of your plan military Flex cards are debit cards loaded with a predetermined amount of money. Housing help. If you have a Medigap policy that covers the Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). Get a personalized Auto Insurance quote now. 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. 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. - Ray C. My agent was outstanding. 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. While these cards come with the advantage of directly available funds that can be used at your discretion for healthcare expenses, getting a flex card may be more complicated than advertisements make it appear and may come with additional costs and complications worth considering. Shop at participating stores like Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Kroger. Medical equipment. Transportation - Receive a certain amount of rides at no cost. Got questions about the flex card for seniors? When you visit the doctor or need to purchase medical supplies, you simply swipe the card to pay for the purchase. This skates on the edge of false advertising. Sign Up For Medicare Tap Below To Call & Qualify! There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don't share your personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. Even if you do everything right, you could still be a victim of Medicare fraud.