seniors You cant use them for everything. Dont fall for it. Is the Medicare Flex Card Legitimate? In this post, well clarify the confusionabout the Medicare flex card for seniors. Weve had countless people reach out to us, asking if this is a legitimate offer or a terrible scam. 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. Get instant access to our latest in-depth guides covering important retirement topics. Only certain Medicare Advantage plans distribute flex cards to eligible members quarterly or annually to cover some health-related expenses, such as over-the-counter medicine,dental care copaysand other out-of-pocket costs. That is considerably less than the $2,880 token amount. Yes. Our team of journalists, social workers, and experts have been reporting on low income topics since 2013. Humana replaced three cards they previously issued (ahealthy foods card, OTC card and flex card) with one Humana Spending Card. You can visit theFSAFEDS websiteor call 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337) or 1-800-952-0450 to enroll in the program. Is the Medicare Flex Card For Seniors Legitimate? - WGFS Both programs could potentially save you thousands of dollars a year if you qualify. TIP: Learn if you qualify for the $900 Medicare grocery card. It can be almost impossible to differentiate between the paid agents and the legitimate unbiased experts. The following insurers tout the spending options their Medicare Advantage flex card plans offer. Do not provide your personal information online. 1. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, our This card shows the balance of your medical, dependent care, and/or flexible spending accounts. When you use the card at participating locations, the purchase counts against your allowance for the qualifying benefit, avoiding the need to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement. Flex cards are debit cards that have usage in purchasing medical supplies and equipment. During Open Season, newly eligible QLE employees who missed the September 30 deadline can enroll. The specific products that can be purchased with a flex card may vary depending on the health plan and the type of flexible spending account associated with the card. In addition, you must actively re-enroll in a health-care or limited-expenditure account during Open Season to use carryover. Report a scam or search forscamsnear you, AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard from Barclays, 3% cash back on gas station and eligible drug store purchases, Savings on eye exams and eyewear at national retailers, Find out how much you will need to retire when and how you want, AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session, Customized workouts designed around your goals and schedule, SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS. Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Have you constantly come across the Medicare flex card ads recently? Medicare Advantage insurers make it a little easier by bundling all the benefits together and often packaging additional benefits into their plans. Im 56 and on ssdi. How Is a flex card different from an FSA? Medicare Benefits You will probably get a lot of phone calls and contact from insurance companies that have paid for your information. However, it is crucial to exercise caution as scammers may take advantage of the card's popularity to deceive unsuspecting beneficiaries. This card, however, must be linked to a Medicare Advantage Plan, which is a paid service. Would be nice if we knew what we can buy. Is the Flex Card for Seniors Legit? - YouTube However, its important to note that Medicare Advantage plans often have strict networks and higher out-of-pocket costs, so you should ensure that your physicians are covered by the plans network. Medicare Flex Card | Seniors Get Flex Card - Century Medicare When you swipe your Flex Card, money is taken out of your account instantly and directly. When people advertise things like this, its usually because they have a financial interest in getting you to sign up. Intermittent Fasting for Seniors: Basic Best Retirement Communities for Active Guide for Senior Living Partner Properties, Veterans Benefits Guide to Long Term Care, Assisted Living Checklist: 25 Questions to Ask Moving In. From January 1 through December 31, you will be eligible for benefits. PCH famous for surprising winners at their front doors with giant checks and balloons must substantially change its business practices, the FTC said. Retrieved from, CVS Health. She has written copy for both digital and print pieces ranging from blogs, radio scripts and search ads to billboards, brochures, mailers and more. Eligibility & Requirements, BlueCare Plus Flex Card For Seniors: A Comprehensive Guide, Papa Murphy's Senior Discount: Deals, Offers, And Details, Ross Senior Discount: Eligibility Requirements And Policy. free food But $2800 Flex card for seniors will be considered a health . If you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in your state, you will receive an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase eligible food items. If you have any questions about Medicare flex cards or whats new for ApexHealth in 2023, feel free to reach out to Concierge Services. 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. Get affordable hearing aids that dont break the bank. Rolling over unused balances to the following quarter is not permitted. Aging Well Everything to know about Medicare flex cards for seniors It's that time of year when Medicare advertising starts to appear on your television, mobile, and computer screens. So, its not free; youre unlikely to recoup $2,800.00 or anything close to it. 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. A flex card is not affiliated with the government, and you get it from a private insurer that offers a Medicare Advantage plan. One of the supplemental benefits Medicare Advantage plans may offer is a Medicare flex card. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. He excels in creating content across different industries. Check with your specific plan for details, but here are some of the ways you may be able to use a flex card to help you pay for some uncovered medical expenses: Some flex card programs even allow you to purchase healthy groceries. The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program is a service offered by many states to help people navigate the complicated benefits. Because this is when seniors can alter their health care plans, the open enrollment period is between October and December. The plans that include flex cards may be limited to specific areas of a few states. The scam involves someone impersonating a Medicare representative who tries to encourage you to purchase a Medicare flex card. Call CareConnect USAs secure affordable hearing aid line at 888-258-5305 for assistance today! If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Flex Card for Seniors | What is it ? | ClearMatch Medicare Each Medicare Advantage provider has different spending rules and funding amounts for their flex cards. You receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from Medicare. military If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch to another flex card Medicare benefit, you can change plans during the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). This can include Medicare flex cards scams, so be aware of the following: TheCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) offers various Medicarefraudreporting options. Generally, you can expect to start out with several hundred dollars preloaded onto the card, and you can only spend those dollars on health care services. Talk to a licensed Medicare sales agent by calling: Please give us a few details and an agent will be in touch to schedule a call. Weve already talked aboutwhats missing from Original Medicareand Medigap plans, including supplemental benefits items or services that are covered by Medicare Advantage plans, not Original Medicare. As a result, several reputable insurance providers provide this service. Check your plans Evidence of Coverage for more information about the annual allowance provided for your specific plan. Is the Flex Card for Seniors Legit? Last Updated: October 1, 2022. It is always best to be aware of your surroundings and avoid people who approach you without your permission. Its important to note that Medicare Advantage Flex Cards are not affiliated with the government, and these types of payment cards are not an option if you have Original Medicare. You cannot use the card for over-the-counter (OTC) products and groceries. Although the senior flex card program is legitimate, we take issue with the way it is presented in some television advertisements. Is The Medicare Flex Card For Seniors Legitimate? It's Misleading In addition to being a Medicare expert, Michael specializes in other insurance products such as voluntary benefits for employees of businesses. Qualifying purchases vary with the plan in which you enrolled. Claims that the flex card is like free money. And the high dollar amount advertised should also make you suspicious, as most flex cards only have a few hundred dollars preloaded for medical uses. These cards are pre-loaded with a set amount of funds to pay for eligible expenses. Only Medicare Advantage plans can issue flex cards, and these plans are sold by private insurance companies. 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. Unlike other types of Medicare benefits, there is no specific enrollment period for flex cards, as not all insurers offer this benefit. In contrast, Medicare Supplement plans enable beneficiaries to save money while still receiving the benefits necessary to reduce the costs of Original Medicare. Almost all Medicare Advantage plans provide some coverage for dental , hearing and vision care, while some plans use flex cards to cover copayments or certain eligible expenses with an annual dollar limit, such as $225 for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Prescription medications and medical supplies, Over-the-counter medications (with a doctors prescription), Medical equipment such as crutches, wheelchairs, and home oxygen supplies, Diagnostic devices such as blood glucose monitors and blood pressure monitors, Dental and vision expenses, such as glasses or contact lenses, Acupuncture, chiropractic, and other alternative therapies (if prescribed by a doctor), You can use your card to buy groceries and gasoline, Your card comes pre-loaded with thousands of dollars, I just need to prequalify you and then transfer you to an agent. homeless Social Security To be eligible for carryover, you must be employed by an FSAFEDS-participating agency and actively making allotments from your salary from January 1 to December 31 of the previous benefit period. Diagnostic devices (blood sugar test kits, etc. Ps its a shame to treat seniors that way. If the answer is yes, it is time to look into the matter more in-depth before making a decision. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"While some private insurer-run Medicare Advantage plans include flex cards worth a few hundred dollars, they are not available for free through original Medicare. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications. Medicare Advantage Flex Cards are prepaid debit cards a plan issues to beneficiaries with a pre-loaded amount that can be spent on specific health care costs. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try Its not just online that you need to be cautious. As a financial writer, she covers Medicare, life insurance and dental insurance topics for RetireGuide. Reach out to find a trustworthy, unbiased Medicare counselor. MULTIPLAN_HCIMB3SITE_M Last updated October 5th 2022. Medicare flex card eligibility for groceries will vary with the plan. Is the Medicare Flex Card Legitimate? Satisfying Your Need to Know The $2800 flex card for seniors is a stored-value card that stores the balance of a flexible spending account or medical Medicare and dependent care reimbursement account. APA If you dont read the fine print carefully, you may end up paying the price in other areas of your plan. Be careful what you click on and always read the fine print. The best way to avoid any Medicare Flex Card scam is to go directly to your Medicare Advantage provider to find information. Even if you are eligible, you should carefully consider any Medicare Advantage plan. Stay informed and stay protected. Someone other than a representative from your Medicare Advantage plan contacts you about a flex card. Compare plans with and without the flex cards to assess the value. Even though the card is called a Medicare flex card, it has nothing to do withoriginal Medicare. Thats why we have added our new supplemental benefit, the Apex PayFlex MasterCard, for eligible expenses. Sorry there is a continuing error in our system. The cards in the advertising are distributed by private Medicare Advantage programs, not by Original Medicare. Stock Your Kitchen: Best Healthy Pantry Staples. logo, A clickable link to call tel:+18774061753, which is a brand operated by HealthCompare Insurance Services Inc., its sales agents, or affiliates to contact me (even if Im on a state or national do not call registry) at the phone number or email address listed to provide me with quotes or information about Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D plans. Learn to spot and avoid common scams with AARP's Fraud Resource Center. Thats not accurate at all. An Overview of Old Age Survivors and Disability Is long term care insurance right for you? Flex cards are frequently offered in conjunction with health insurance coverage. The Medicare Flex Card is a supplemental card that aims to provide Medicare beneficiaries with more flexibility in managing their healthcare expenses. You can even add a flex card to your Amazon account for eligible purchases. The TV commercials that advertise the Flex Card are unusually misleading and its surprising to many of us in the industry that CMS hasnt put a stop to it. RetireGuide.com. If you're interested in help navigating your options, a representative will provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation. Copyright 2021 BoomersHub. If you unfortunately lose or destroy your Medicare flex card, you can seek a replacement through your personal Social Security account. Publishers Clearing House (PCH) has agreed to compensate customers affected by its "misleading" business practices $18.5 million, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). We'd love to hear your thoughts. As a general rule, you should never provide your sensitive personal information online to unknown organizations. Copyright 2023 ApexHealth. Avoid captive agents whenever possible. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! While many reputable companies offer flex card benefits, Medicare recipients can be vulnerable tocommon senior scams. In this guide, we will explore the Medicare Flex Card, its benefits, and how to stay protected from potential fraud. Give us a call at (844) 279-0508 (TTY: 711) to speak with a licensed representative or an ApexAssistant. cash assistance In our community, we have a so-called advisor who lurks around our local food banks. One of those misleading advertisements concerns the flex card currently offered by some health insurers that offer Medicare Advantage plans. You can choose the amount to invest in an FSA till the employer-determined limit. Medicare Supplement plans do not offer flex cards. Xfinity Senior Discount 2022: Deals, Offers, And More. is the medicare flex card legit. Original Medicare, which is government affiliated, does not offer flex cards. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the Medicare Flex Card legitimate? You must be employed by an agency that participates in FSAFEDS in order to be eligible for a health care flexible spending account. These are debit cards typically associated with a flexible spending account. In this video you'll. I understand my consent is not a condition of purchase and that I can revoke my consent at any time via medicarebenefits.com/about-us/contact-us. Low Income Relief is part of The Lighthouse Information Network LLC, a content creation company owned by Nicole Thelin and based in Utah, USA. Many people mistakenly assume that Medicare Advantage Flex Cards are like a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Participants save an average of 30% on their familys health, dentistry, vision, and daycare expenses by using pre-tax payroll contributions rather than post-tax wages to pay for these out-of-pocket charges. Here are answers to seven questions about Medicare flex cards. Eligible groups include beneficiaries with disabling chronic conditions and those who have both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligible). Get a plan recommendation based on what's important to you. Insurers selling Medicare Advantage plans with flex cards include, but are not limited to, WellCare, Anthem, Aetna and Humana. Coming out later in life: How to support elderly queers? In some cases, you can use your card to purchase healthy groceries at participating stores as well. Expenses incurred during that time frame can be reporteduntil April 30th of the following year. Scams. jobs The annual allowance available on your Apex PayFlex MasterCard is determined by the plan you choose. Subscribe to Updates . To get the card, you'll need to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the program. This includes personalizing content and advertising. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Flex cards are debit cards that have usage in purchasing medical supplies and equipment. Get a Long-Term Financial Plan Understand how the rest of your coverage may change before switching to a Medicare Advantage plan because you want to try to qualify for a flex card. Dont provide your personal information online. ApexHealth knows it's important to get the best coverage for your budget, and we want to let Medicare beneficiaries know that a Medicare Advantage plan is a great way to save.
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