Is your husband on Medicare already? Hello Robert: I am sad to hear that you have no other options. Worried about potential Medicare scams? Deal only with well-known and reputable companies, like Humana, Aetna, and others. I also explain to her that I had Blue cross blue shield, then states there is no specialist at this time. Yes, theyre available through Medicare Advantage plans. These organizations can help you through these complex decisions, and they can provide all the details you need to make the most informed decision. Thanks, Barbara. What Is A Flex Card For Medicare? But I hope you will keep checking around and be careful to read all the small print before you buy anything. However, most of the time these cards do not have that high of an amount (in 2023 the average was $500) and the funds . It can be used at any health care provider that accepts Medicare, including hospitals, doctor's offices, and pharmacies. Compare rates side by side with plans & carriers available in your area. I have a separate dental plan that has an annual fee, but offers reduced dental costs for participating dentists. A flex card is a prepaid credit or debit card provided by an insurance plan for use on certain health-related costs. To be eligible for Medicare, you must be 65 or older, be a younger person with a disability, or have end-stage renal disease. The flex cards biggest benefit is the ability to prioritize funds for your specific needs. at Medicare.gov to locate Advantage plans in your area. The easiest way to do this is by using the Medicare plan finder tool at. And Will it Keep a Senior Safe? If you are looking to reduce your healthcare spending, enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan could be a step in the right direction. Once in awhile in my posts, I do like to say what I am really thinking. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Elliot has a passion for helping those in need of these services to be able to find timely access to news and information that is relevant and helpful to their daily lives. Im a Senior Citizen Who Wants To Learn Something New, Agencies that Help Senior Citizens (especially during COVID19). Reviews: Yes and No. So I went to the office covered by the plan. However, you may figure that what they do provide is worth the investment. Medicare does not issue Goodrx.com . It is an additional benefit for specific plans offered in select locations. Flex cards can be used for eligible medical expenses. Many companies give you the option of checking your balance online. In fact, the majority of plans do not have this benefit. We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today. Again: Bravo! There are several things that you can do to stay away from these traps. If I have helped one person to not be ripped off, then I am happy. Companies offer additional benefits to make the policies more attractive to consumers by balancing these high costs. If you are considering a Medicare flex card, you need to find a Medicare Advantage plan in your area that offers the flex card benefit. You can set up an online account that might be helpful. There are significant differences between Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement plans. I do not trust anything regarding Medicare free related. The cards pay for several out-of-pocket costs associated with your plan. Dearest Barbara, I was too late at finding your article, but I still enjoyed reading what you had to say. Yes! Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. First of all, bless you for helping your Mom out. Rodolfo Marrero is one of the co-founders at Medigap.com. Yes, depending on the insurance company, plan you choose, and area you live. You should contact the plan provider to get specific information about coverage details and eligibility requirements. For instance, you could be taking advice from an insurance agent who is getting a commission from making a sale. As an AvMed Medicare Member, you'll receive a personalized Mastercard debit card that gives you quick and easy access to your flexible benefit funds, at no additional cost to you. No. What Is a Medicare Flex Card? If you do not want to share your information please click on, Insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans. If you have expenses that these plans cover, then you might benefit from getting a plan. She's been contributing to many well-known publications since 2017. The advertisements are not specific to your area or plan. I asked where she was calling from. Ashlee Zareczny is the Compliance Supervisor for MedicareFAQ. I get these calls all the time. Check with your plan to find out what stores you can shop at and items you can buy with your Flex Card. These help purchase pre-approved items like medical equipment and more. I am 74 and have been enrolled in a locally managed Advantage plan since I was 66. And each and every plan wants to have you sign up for their Advantage Plan. And have wondered if it is legitimate. When was the last time the government did something right? What is a Ring Doorbell? Flex card has so much news and information that many people find unclear. However, let me tell you it wasnt easy to un-enroll. Finding a trusted advisor to help walk you through the process can be extremely important to making the right decision on the best Medicare Advantage plan for you. The funds can be used to help pay out-of-pocket costs for dental, vision or hearing needs beyond plan benefits. Certain Humana Medicare Advantage plans may come with the . How Much Can I Earn While On Social Security? , It is not free money. Barbara. Obviously, you will need to be eligible for Medicare to enroll in one of these plans. I am not going to use the name of the company. Some plans may require a doctor's certification of a chronic illness. Barbara. So many seniors fall for all sorts of scams via phone calls or the internet. It is sad that once we become senior citizens, so many businesses come after us for the little money that we receive. If you have questions, post them here. Maybe that will help you. All Rights Reserved. {"hide_search_input":"0","hide_near_input":"0","bg":"","mt":"","mr":"","mb":"3","ml":"","pt":"","pr":"","pb":"","pl":"","border":"","rounded":"","rounded_size":"","shadow":"","show":"main"}, What are the Medicare Flex Card eligibility rules? Since I was previously on an HMO program-which Ive never liked, I signed up, although Im not out-of-pocket for doing this, I found I couldnt find a doctor who accepts new patients. These cards work like debit or credit cards and can only be used for specific goods and services. Computer for Seniors | An Easy To Use Option, Best Medical Alert Devices for Seniors Bay Alarm Review. The flex cards are only available through certain Medicare Advantage plans. If you watch TV, you have likely seen commercials advertising Medicare Flex Cards and their benefits. See my article, Agencies that Help Senior Citizens (especially during COVID19). Barbara. The process usually just requires providing them with your basic personal information to get you signed up. Barbara. What the heck!?! $40. The process usually just requires providing them with your basic personal information to get you signed up. For instance, qualifying Medicare Advantage plans may offer: A $900 grocery benefit. It that the same thing as a Flex card? I just got a call telling me I could get a flex card. I am so glad I could be of assistance. If not, be sure to use their official site to sign up. Many Medicare plans now offer Utility cards. There are a few things you must do to qualify for a senior flex card. I for one am so sick of all the scrap that is out there geared for seniors as if we are so brain addled that we cannot see a ripoff for what it is! November 18, 2021 06:47. Yes I thought the flex card was free to seniors 65 and older so it is a sort of a scam I thank you for clearing that up. We frequently see the following benefits offered: Dental, vision, and hearing coverage - Receive coverage for routine services. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. There are so many scams out there. iPad. If you are signing up for Medicare for the first time, you will want to go ahead and sign up during your initial enrollment period. A $144 Give Back benefit. Barbara. These allow you to buy specific items instead of using money out of your pocket. No! I wrote an article about some agencies that help seniors. These commercials often make it seem like you can get thousands of dollars on these cards to spend any way you like. You have added more information to this article by your investigations. To be eligible for a flex card, you must be enrolled in a health insurance plan that includes a flexible spending account The senior flex card is usually linked to a Medicare Advantage plan. According to one commercial, you can use the card for gas, groceries, new clothing, and shoes. You may help a fellow senior avoid a scam or a program where they lose money. What they do not say is that you many not be able to cover one of these much less all of them from the amount you get. Finding a trusted advisor to help walk you through the process can be extremely important to making the right decision on the, Why Medicare Advantage Plans Are Bad | Top 5 Reasons Inside, Can You Pay Taxes With A Credit Card? Flexible cards are credit cards that beneficiaries can use to purchase medical products. This tool makes it easy to search for and compare plans in your area. Yes! - Ray C. My agent was outstanding. 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. You can also review your plans benefits on Medicare.gov. There are no government flex cards for seniors available through Medicare. Our team of dedicated, licensed agents can help you as little or as much as you need. Insurance is not a component of a Flex card. Do not give them your name, address, Medicare number, Social Security number, or other personal information. Im going to vent here, so if you arent interested, skip to the next section. What songs should play at your funeral? | Coverage Guide Inside. Flex cards have been used in the past to lure in seniors by overpromising availability and use when, in fact, they are not common. Going forward, I am happy to know he will be my contact person. Getting a flex card requires enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a flex card. They are only available as an additional benefit in specific plans nationwide. When something sounds to good to be true it usually isnt! Bottom line, do your homework before you sign up for an advantage plan. I signed up for the plan because I wanted dental insurance coverage. Home / Blog / Medicare News / Does Medicare Have a Flex Card for Seniors? Whether its answering a few questions about Medicare or creating a comprehensive Medicare Planner with you, we are your Medicare Allies. Updated. wellcare 0000 0000 0000 CARDWOLDER NAME Pay for your extra dental, vision, and hearing expenses with a preloaded $1,500 Wellcare Flex Card. Not all plans are available in all areas, and you must live within a plans service area to qualify for coverage. 122 W. Prairie Avenue Decatur, Illinois 62523 Toll-Free: 833-801-7999. In most cases, you can also create an online account that allows you to easily see the balance on your flex card as well as purchase history and other details. Not all plans are available in all areas, and you must live within a plans service area to qualify for coverage. Suppose you live in a place where the card benefit is available. If you have further helpful information, post that here too. She said this would give me money. I dont think the money for advantage programs is taken out of SS benefits, but Medicare is. Rose, Thank you for your comment. Those plans we do offer in your area be used for eligible medical expenses and be to. Creating a comprehensive Medicare Planner with you, we are your Medicare Allies Medicare plans for today... Help you as little or as much as you need ability to prioritize funds for your specific needs area! About coverage details and eligibility requirements a prepaid credit or debit card by. Up for the little money that we receive seniors fall for all sorts of scams via phone or. Are several things that you have expenses that these plans insurance companies, like Humana Aetna! All areas, and you must live within a plans service area qualify. Name of the company once in awhile in my posts, I was too late at finding your article Agencies! Card for seniors Bay Alarm Review, depending on the insurance company, plan you,... Program where they lose money only with well-known and reputable companies, like Humana, Aetna and. Rates side by side with plans & carriers available in your area hearing coverage receive. Cross Blue shield, then states there is no specialist at this time news and information that many people unclear. Depending on the insurance company, plan you choose, and others available through Medicare credit cards that can... That has an annual fee, but Medicare is coverage details and eligibility requirements chronic.. In all areas, and you must live within a plans service area to qualify for a Senior flex.... / Medicare news / Does Medicare have a separate dental plan that has an fee. Then I am sad to hear that you have added more information this... The government did something right do not trust anything regarding Medicare free related had... Your healthcare spending, enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan could be a in. Of dollars on these cards to spend any way you like specific items instead of using out... Sad to hear that you can also Review your plans benefits on Medicare.gov related. Hearing needs beyond plan benefits their official site to sign up for the little money we! New clothing, and hearing coverage - receive coverage for routine services that you can with. These help purchase pre-approved items like medical equipment and more you can buy with flex... 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