If someone is offering you a flex card with an Original Medicare or Medicaid plan they are trying to scam you. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. So, who qualifies for Medicare flex card? An ad saying there was $2,880 available in a Medicare Flex Card looked like a windfall to Laurence Archer. Ashlee Zareczny is the Compliance Supervisor for MedicareFAQ. They are non-taxed accounts that are used to pay for certain medical expenses not covered by employer plans. A deadline of September 30th, however, must be met. Jagger Esch is the Medicare expert for MedicareFAQ and the founder, president, and CEO of Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ.com. If a scammer calls you or your older adult to ask for their Medicare number or other personal information, hang up immediately. Despite a recent uptick in online advertising, however, these cards remain relatively rare. Truthfully, Medicare is not distributing flex cards for seniors. And youre wondering is it real or is it a scam? Its not just online that you have to be careful, either. This is a marketing . Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Over-the-counter benefits - Receive a certain amount of money each . How can you lower the costs of your groceries and still get the nutritious food that will keep you . Learn more about our editorial and advertising policies. Medicare Flex Cards vs. You should automatically receive your flex debit card in the mail around the beginning of your plan 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. This year that benefit happens to be the Flex card for seniors. medical assistance Eligibility for the Seniors Flex Cards. coronavirus Medicare Supplement plans make healthcare affordable and easy for all enrollees. 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. Speak with a licensed insurance agent Mon-Fri, 9AM-8PM EST . Fake Medicare advisor phone calls. healthcare This means they are not part of government-managed Medicare plans. If you find a host of reviews indicating that customers didnt get what they paid for or that the plans arent as advertised, this is an indication that something isnt right. What Is Permanent Life Insurance and How Does It Work? For the 2023 plan year, the average is $500. A flexible spending account, or flex card, is a type of flexible spending account that reimburses medical expenses. 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. We strive to provide up-to-date information but make no warranties regarding the accuracy of our information. In fact, in 2022, it looks like some savvy health care plans have changed their vocabulary. Tap Below To Call & Qualify! As a senior, it is important to note that Medicare coverage is a complex issue and you need to discuss it with an unbiased health counselor before changing any health care plan. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides nutritious, domestically-sourced USDA foods to low-income persons 60 years or older. Dental, vision, and hearing services. To protect your older adult from Medicare card scams, educate them about 3 common techniques that con artists may use. 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. We bought a medical item and it came off the $125. Thats far less than the $2,880 that I originally saw advertised. This post may contain affiliate links. Flex Card Program offered me a $1000 with a deposit of $69, I was appoved and offered another $1000 for $29 NO CARD EVER CAME Boca Raton, Florida. Dont waste money on expensive hearing aids! What Is A Seniors Flex Card. In our community, we have a so-called advisor who lurks around our local food banks. Flex cards are an additional benefit to Medicare Advantage plans. For example, the flex card can be used for the following expenses: Medicare Flex Card Coverages. They are offered as a benefit to some . Fact Checked. The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time. Be especially careful with people who approach you without you asking or who push particular plans. Money on Medicare flex cards, meanwhile, is disbursed according to a schedule set by Medicare Advantage providers. * Average time of receiving a Medicare plan recommendation is less than 15 minutes from start of conversation, 2019-2021. And you just might be surprised when the benefit you called for isnt available in your area, or you dont qualify for it. But in some cases, fraud may be more subtle. Consider a company offering $2,000 flex cards. Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. We do not offer every plan available in your area. A flex card is not included with government-provided Medicare plans. 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. The largest legitimate flex plan I found included a $1,000 flex card and a $50 monthly debit card for other out-of-pocket costs, for a total of $1,600 per year. financial assistance A Guide to Understanding Insurance Risks, Understanding The Role of Insurance Limits in Your Policy, Personal Liability Insurance: Protecting Yourself From Unforeseen Legal Costs, Loss of Use Coverage: What to Know Before You Need It, Understanding The Different Types of Home Insurance Riders. THE ANSWER. help with bills The goal of the senior flex card is to get seniors to sign up for new Advantage plans during the time span of the open enrollment period. Unfortunately, Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care. These criteria vary based on the provider. debt Never give out your name, address, Medicare number, Social Security number, bank information or other identifying details to someone who claims to be a Medicare sales representative. Our service is 100% free and were happy to help you. Monthly benefits are transferred to the seniors' personal Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT . This means they are not part of government-managed Medicare plans. A Guide for Older Adults . While flex cards may be offered as part of Medicare Advantage plans, there is no government flex card for seniors. - Jeff R. Of all the agents I spoke with, yours helped more with information, advice and help. In my experience, the best way to find a trustworthy Medicare counselor is to reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging. However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. Once you receive your Humana Spending Account Card in the mail, you must activate it before you can use it. The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. Independent agents work with a wide variety of providers, whereas captive agents work with only one or two providers. You may be eligible for survivor benefits from the government following a family member's death. Assurance IQ, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. Are the flex card for seniors legitimate or a scam? Another option for dental coverage is to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with dental benefits. 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. Medicare flex cards carry a prepaid balance that cardholders can use to pay for specific healthcare services. Updated. The average flex card in 2022 is pre-loaded with $500. 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. You also have to be wary of in-person advisors with an agenda. As a result, its worth asking your prospective provider-specific questions and demanding clear answers in return. There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. "It was stated it was set up by the government with Medicare for senior citizens . Medical equipment. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Seniors can get their "Medicare Flex Card" for a limited time. Medicare Supplement plans help beneficiaries reduce out-of-pocket spending by covering the holes in Original Medicare. Burial reimbursement for a COVID-19 death. Enter your ZIP code to pull plan options available in your area. These optional plans combine Medicare and additional services into healthcare packages tailored specifically for seniors. This website is not connected with the federal government or the federal Medicare program. Got questions about the flex card for seniors? Its not that they condone it, but it takes them a while to crack down on the offending health insurance companies. Everything you need to know about flex cards for seniors: what they are, who needs them, and how Medicare can help provide coverage. Does any of this value roll over to the next year? Shop at participating stores like Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Kroger. The Medicare flex card is a prepaid debit card that helps eligible seniors pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs and other approved items. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. May cover meal delivery services. The . Medigap plans supplement Original Medicare. No such program exists and Social Security benefits are limited to certain groups . For example, flex card providers may make claims about their cards that are not outright lies, but are misleading. Much of the advertising about Medicare flex cards boasts that recipients can enjoy a starting balance of up to $2,880 in their accounts. Tell your older adult there will be a charge for the new card, so they need to verify their personal information, bank information, or credit card information. The money in your FSA can be used on your parents if they qualify as your dependent. That's a lot less than . This is a scam. Few seniors participate in SNAP Only 2 out of 5 eligible adults over age 60 are enrolled in SNAP. There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. Posted on Published: November 22, 2021- Last updated: November 17, 2022. here. How can you protect yourself from Medicare scams? The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has allowed private insurance companies to offer a new benefit-like-debit card (flex card). A flex card for seniors is a debit card offered by certain private Medicare Advantage providers. These include: Currently in circulation are advertisements for Medicare-supplied flex cards from various carriers. For example, you might see an offer for a flex card with a $1,000 balance but if the insurance plan tied to the card comes with a $25 per month increase over your current Medicare Advantage premium and doubles your deductible from $500 to $1,000, you could end up paying more each year even with your flex card. SSI Redetermination: What It Is and How It Can Affect Your Benefits . Your email address will not be published. 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. Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account. Flex card has so much news and information that many people find unclear. They will explain the important details of the coverage in the plan. You cant use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. 10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Life Insurance Options. We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today. Many states have a Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program that can assist you in navigating these complex benefits. Federal Executive Institute. Unlike flex cards, however, FSAs are linked to health insurance plans that are offered through employment. 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. 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. You should be careful in everything you do, not just online. Health insurance is complicated enough without worrying about these bad actors, but its something we have to always be vigilant about. These are optional plans that bundle various parts of Medicare and other services into health care packages especially designed for seniors. To help reduce the risk of flex card-based fraud, its worth watching out for common red flags. If they approach you or contact you first, do not engage. If you have a Medigap policy that covers the Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. Since the inception of his first company in 2012, he has been dedicated to helping those eligible for Medicare by providing them with resources to educate themselves on all their Medicare options. The cards are available in limited geographic areas. Once we are notified, we will order cards for the new members, based on the enrollment information received from the employer. To learn more, Reach out Today at NewMedicare. So, here are 3 ways you can protect yourself from most Medicare frauds. However, despite the name, Medicare flex cards are not issued by Medicare itself, but are promotional efforts by private health insurance companies to encourage customers to sign up for their Medicare Advantage plans. Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. 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. 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. 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. Developing senior leaders in the U.S. Government through Leadership for a Democratic Society, Custom Programs and Interagency Courses. Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and . The Flex card for seniors is not something thats offered by Medicare. For instance, you could be taking advice from an insurance agent who is getting a commission from making a sale. Home / FAQs / Medicare Coverage / What Dental Services Are Covered by Medicare. 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 must work with someone who has a financial interest in getting you to sign up, then at least make sure they offer plans from many different providers so that youre more likely to get a good fit. Dont Miss: Government Money Market Fund Spaxx. This year only certain foods with the $125 and only certain medical on the $500. In fact, we could not find any plans that offer Flex Cards with a benefit anywhere near that amount of money. Beneficiaries often save more money in total health spending with a Medicare Supplement plan than with a Medicare Advantage plan. Our new $1.5 million direct cash transfer pilot program, Strong Families, Strong Future DC will provide $900 per month for one year to 132 new and expectant mothers in Wards 5, 7, and 8. Interested employees can learn more about FSAFEDS by visiting the FSAFEDS website or by calling an FSAFEDS Benefits Counselor at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337). You can't use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. Be careful what you click on and always read the fine print. Employees can contribute up to $2,850 per year to their FSA, and employers may also contribute if they choose. The Flex Card is a Visa debit card preloaded with a set amount between $100 - $2,000, depending on your plan and service area. To apply for flex card benefits, contact your Medicare Advantage provider. 3. While this could be true under rare circumstances, a licensed physician must deem these items medically necessary. items. No, there is not a free Medicare flex card widely available to Medicare recipients. Read Article . 4706 Chiquita Blvd S. Suite 200-415 In order to qualify for a flex card, you must qualify for a health insurance plan with a flexible spending account. 1. Most of the time it is a combined benefit annually to be used for either dental, vision or hearing. Yet, this depends on how long you delayed Medicare benefits without creditable coverage. So make sure you know which are. 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. Assurance IQ is a licensed representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PPFS organizations and prescription drug plans with a Medicare contract. We also have written an article on whats a flex cards for seniors? Senior discounts can save you substantial amounts of money 10% to 80% off the normal price of a wide range of goods and services, including restaurant meals, travel and even prescription drugs. Phone: (800) 783-5901. While various Medicare Advantage providers offer these cards, its also important to remember that Medicare Advantage Plan benefits will vary based on location. Two cards. They are offered by some private insurance companies through Medicare Advantage plans. You can do this online at Healthy Benefits Plus or by calling 855-256-4620 (TTY: 711). Benefits for Seniors Through SSA Details such as your Doctor visit and facility co-pays, prescription drug costs, and other medical costs. The money will be debited immediately from your balance when you use your Flex Card to make a purchase.
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