In addition, policyholders cannot carry both Medigap and Medicare Advantage insurance. How can you protect yourself from Medicare scams? Several attendences from government funded agency were sent, but they would take advantage of his situation. Though superficially similar to flexible spending accounts (FSAs), Medicare flex cards differ in where they are offered and how they are funded. Medicare Supplement plans do not include flex card benefits. That's a lot less than . SSI Redetermination: What It Is and How It Can Affect Your Benefits . When you sign up for Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, your coverage goes into effect on the first day of the following month. Thanks EIP! Services allow blatantly misleading and false advertising about Medicare benefits? It is a pre-paid debit card that can be used to pay for dental, vision . 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. So, many legitimate insurance companies offer this benefit. The message states, "Sixty years old or older, you now qualify for the new national senior assistance to receive $3,000 in free grocery savings certificates.". These cards are offered only by insurance companies that provide these flexible cards. Truthfully, Medicare is not distributing flex cards for seniors. Start with some basic research by searching for the company or agents name online and seeing what comes up. 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. homeless 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. The spending allowance deposited on most cards is only a few hundred dollars. Author: Nicole Smith Created Date: 11/1/2021 2:59:08 PM . debt For instance, you could be taking advice from an insurance agent who is getting a commission from making a sale. . 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. Humana Healthy Options, OTC and Flex allowances. For a total of $1,600 per year, the most extensive valid flex plan identified featured a $1,000 flex card and a $50 monthly debit card for other out-of-pocket expenses. 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. It is best to contact your insurer directly to inquire if your plan offers this benefit. If you are looking to reduce your healthcare spending, enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan could be a step in the right direction. If someone is offering you a flex card with an Original Medicare or Medicaid plan they are trying to scam you. Its not just online that you have to be careful, either. These optional plans combine Medicare and additional services into healthcare packages tailored specifically for seniors. Threaten to cancel your older adults health benefits if they dont share their current Medicare number or other personal information. Medicare does not issue the flex card. If so, you can reach them at 877-823-8276. Why do so many people try to scam seniors? If you see an advertisement for a free flex card or an Original Medicare flex card, it's probably not legitimate. There is no enrollment period since not all insurers offer these cards, and those that do may have different rules about the amount of money these cards carry along with the services they cover. Enter your ZIP code to pull plan options available in your area. . "It was stated it was set up by the government with Medicare for senior citizens . Posted on Published: November 22, 2021- Last updated: November 17, 2022. Housing help. Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. Compare Plans and Get Quotes 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. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has allowed private insurance companies to offer a new benefit-like-debit card (flex card). Also, be wary of live gurus who have their own plans. While some carriers offer a flex card benefit, it is rare to receive such a large amount. Using a flex card is like using a debit card. . So, why does the Center for Medicare & MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States. Then, report it by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by going to the FTC website. If someone calls you & asks for your personal information, thats a big warning sign. 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. First, never give your personal information to any company that you do not know, especially online. Over-the-counter benefits - Receive a certain amount of money each . We got $125 each for food and $500 for medical. Monthly benefits are transferred to the seniors' personal Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT . Flex cards share some similarities with flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which can be used to pay for deductibles, copayments, and prescriptions. But in some cases, fraud may be more subtle. A flex card is not included with government-provided Medicare plans. Nicole is the owner and lead researcher for Low Income Relief. Companies offer additional benefits to make the policies more attractive to consumers by balancing these high costs. rent Senior people over 50 are prone to . Health care is confusing and its too important to make mistakes on. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services. It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. Instead of offering flex cards for seniors, now theyre offering an All-Access Black Card. This card is often known by a few different names, including: Medicare food card; The Administration on Aging (ACL) promotes the well-being of older individuals by providing services and programs designed to help them live independently in their homes and communities. However, they all require beneficiaries to pick up their Medicare Advantage plans. Diagnostic devices. Are You Confused About Medicare and Having Trouble Choosing the Right Plan. The General Enrollment Period runs annually from January 1 to March 31. Another might offer $2,000 but spread that amount out over an entire year by adding $500 on the card in January, $500 in April, $500 in July, and $500 in October. You simply need to swipe your card at the providers location and select the credit/credit card option from the drop-down menu in order to avoid having to pay any transaction fee or enter a PIN. These benefits arent available in all areas. Medicaid However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. The deadline for compliance is September 30 after that, there will be repercussions for noncompliance. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications. Private health plans do not advertise their cards. 1. Does any of this value roll over to the next year? As a general rule, you should never provide your sensitive personal information online to unknown organizations. Some would half do the work, ask for money or take money . Its very important to be careful with where you put your information online. Depending on how many times you spend your money, you will have the same limits as on the other cards that youve got. 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. Healthcare cost management . To apply for flex card benefits, contact your Medicare Advantage provider. A public service connecting you to services for older adults and their families. Get affordable hearing aids that dont break the bank. RMP This card, however, must be linked to a Medicare Advantage Plan, which is a paid service. Starting in late summer 2021, advertisements started to appear everywhere offering a senior flex card. At best, it will be annoying. How Much Does It Cost To Refinance A Home? 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. The main benefit of a flex card is the additional funds to pay for the expenses of medical supplies. Flex cards are only available with Medicare Advantage plans. If you are having difficulty covering your health care expenses on your own, there are legitimate Medicare resources that can provide assistance. At worst, it could result in you being scammed. Burial reimbursement for a COVID-19 death. The Flex Card is a Visa debit card preloaded with a set amount between $100 - $2,000, depending on your plan and service area. If you want to find a Medicare Plan that offers a Flex Card then call us at (800) 783-5901. When people advertise things like this, its usually because they have a financial interest in getting you to sign up. However, whats covered may vary from provider to provider. Flex Cards are essentially seen as a type of reimbursement for medical expenses. Its not that they condone it, but it takes them a while to crack down on the offending health insurance companies. 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. Jagger Esch is the Medicare expert for MedicareFAQ and the founder, president, and CEO of Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ.com. Get financial help for seniors from 2,500+ federal, state, and private benefits programs. 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. 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. . Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Plus, they will not call to ask about bank information. legal Additionally, they find cost-saving benefits such as a flex card never truly live up to their promises. 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. While some private insurance companies may offer cards that carry balances of several thousand dollars each year, many may fall in the lower hundred-dollar range. pets The senior flex card is usually linked to a Medicare Advantage plan. Buy healthy food online or in person. Learn more about the Medicare grocery card for seniors: Eligible members get a monthly grocery allowance. 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. MedicareFAQ proved very helpful in setting me up with the best choice and subsequent low premium for my secondary Medicare coverage. You May Like: Do Post Offices Have Notaries. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Get a personalized Auto Insurance quote now. This year that benefit happens to be the Flex card for seniors. The scam consists of a recorded message advising callers that if they are sixty years of age or older they are eligible for the national senior assistance program. However, to participate in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be willing to abide by strict networks and higher out-of-pocket costs. They might not always be giving you the best advice for your situation. Typically, Medicare Flex Cards have pre-determined . - Dwight D. It is common to have many Medicare-related questions running through your mind at any given time. 1-877-372-3337. 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. What Is Universal Life Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide. Government-provided Medicare plans do not come with a flex card. Please note that this line is for HEARING AIDS and not for information about the Flex Cards. 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. free museum days 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. For example, you might see an ad offering a Medicare flex card while these flex cards are part of Medicare Advantage plans, not being clear about this upfront is a red flag. Once the money in the flex card account is spent, the card cannot be used again until it is reloaded by the insurance provider based on their guidelines. cheap Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). 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. Information is available in English and Spanish. 7 key facts about SNAP benefits for seniors. Medicare Supplement plans help beneficiaries reduce out-of-pocket spending by covering the holes in Original Medicare. Social Security Retirement Benefits, USA Medicare Plan Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Key Takeaways. While advertising for these cards may make it seem like youre being given free money to spend on healthcare expenses, this is not exactly true. Invitations for applications for insurance are made through Assurance IQ, LLC, a licensed insurance agency, only where licensed and appointed. certain items that can be purchased with an EBT card. Most legitimate organizations require you to reach out first; they wont contact you unsolicited. 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. Money-Saving Benefits for Seniors. So I called the phone number 561-921-2600 that was on the email and ask many questions everything seemed good so Boca Raton, Florida Qualify [sic] Seniors Can Spend up to $2,880 each year for medical appointments prescriptions and more. This is a scam. Cash Services: Flex Card Program. Required fields are marked *. Last year ,2021, we got 50 and 500 but found out in November we could buy anything. Are the flex card for seniors legitimate or a scam? In some cases, you can use your card to purchase healthy groceries at participating stores as well. Advertisements that claim or indicate that flex cards are being offered by government agencies are, therefore, patently false. May cover meal delivery services. You can also review your plans benefits on Medicare.gov. Medicare Advantage insurers make it a little easier by bundling all the benefits together and often packaging additional benefits into their plans. Medicare Flex cards do not replace Original Medicare. You can also contact Medicare directly via 1-800-Medicare or by online chat at Medicare.gov. What they dont tell you is that this is basically just a flex card with a new and exciting name. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are private insurance alternatives to government-run Medicare plans, offer flex cards, but very few . Medical equipment. Cape Coral, FL 33914 Your email address will not be published. children . Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. An ad saying there was $2,880 available in a Medicare Flex Card looked like a windfall to Laurence Archer. This is a scam. A Facebook post says that senior citizens can get a Medicare "flex card" that pays for groceries and prescriptions. Our service is 100% free and were happy to help you. Employees can contribute up to $2,850 per year to their FSA, and employers may also contribute if they choose. However, you cant just spend flex card money on anything. The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. Federal Executive Institute. Medigap plans supplement Original Medicare. Avoid captive agents whenever possible. 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.
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