, For those who enroll in a plan with a flex card, you will receive a card with a set amount of funds. Next, make sure that you are not following the advice of someone who has ulterior motives. Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans throughout the nation. Find a reputable dentist. You have probably seen ads for the flex card. However, make sure that you closely examine all the coverage details offered by the plan. Today, we hope to help clear up some of that confusion. Thank you for your comment. Thanks for your comment! Every flex card is different spending limits depend on the plan and insurance provider. Took me 5 months on the phone 6 hours a day to get off the advantage plan now I back to old Medicare with a supplement and I now fully covered today I get so mad all day on tv or my phone I keep hearing I have to go back as every ones doing it I yell back not me I never go back the government should shut this scam down, Norm! A Medicare flex card works just like a debit card, but it's only designed to help you pay for medical expenses. Barbara, Hi Barbara, That should be the first red flag. Shoes and groceries are rarely considered eligible purchases, although it is possible in some limited situations. The process varies a little depending on whether or not you have already signed up for Medicare. As a licensed Medicare agent in all 50 states, she is dedicated to educating those eligible for Medicare by providing the necessary resources and tools. Flex cards aren't the only extra benefit offered by Medicare Advantage plans. The flex card is one benefit that some plans offer. Ashlee is a Medicare expert who specializes in Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D education. However, many of these ads can be confusing or misleading. When was the last time the government did something right? Others might opt for dental work. Be sure to review your plan to find out exactly what's eligible. Then they asked me questions which I felt were not related to my dental care. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Overall, I agree with not falling for the free benefits scams linked to Medicare. Your email address will not be published. Flex cards are not available in every state or with every carrier. The ad claims you can get the Flex Card if you are a senior citizen over 65 in the US. Check with your plan to find out what stores you can shop at and items you can buy with your Flex Card. You can set up an online account that might be helpful. Barbara. In-Network. Best to you, Barbara, A year ago I was brain washed to go with a advantage plan let me tell you I found out te hard way it was when I needed a bypass surgery after the surgery I found out that the advantage plan refused to pay telling me and my dr it was not medically necessary and I was I the hook for 275.000 | Coverage Guide Inside. Is Medisafe a Good App For Seniors? The flex cards are only available through certain Medicare Advantage plans. I know it can be a challenge as I was a caregiver for my Mom, although I had help. Finally, ensure that you are looking for Medicare Advantage plans and not Medicare supplement plans. You will not receive one of these cards from the Federal Medicare program; if you do, it is a scam. First, never give your personal information to any company that you do not know, especially online. Of course, the amount varies depending on your chosen insurance company, plan, and location. (I know, I know; wishful thinking) I would like to share my experience. Are You a Senior That Wants To Build a Website? Medicare Coverage Outside the United States Our secure app makes managing your benefits easy through real-time access and intuitive navigation to all your . Your Medicare plan is fundamentally about your health care coverage needs. She said TX. I was connected to a health insurance broker. Its important to bear in mind that plan variations occur, so be sure to read through your plans specific list of approved items before you use your flex card. If you are still determined to get one, you can search online for offers. Doctor on Demand. What years did you serve in the military? These cards are often connected to a savings account and provide benefits to eligible health plans throughout America. The Visa Flex Card Gives you: Choice: Visit in-network and out-of-network providers MedicareFAQ proved very helpful in setting me up with the best choice and subsequent low premium for my secondary Medicare coverage. So, you will need to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes the flex card benefit. Thank you thank you thank you. You dont have to get an advantage plan. Dear Lillian: Thank you for your input. And Will it Keep a Senior Safe? When logging in for the first time, you will have to create a new account by clicking the "Get Started" button. Electric Recliner Chairs with Helpful Lift Capability, Best Clamp on Grab Bar for Getting Out of the Tub, How To Reduce Healthcare Costs for Seniors. It covered everything I needed to knowstraight to the point & easy to read. What the heck!?! What Is a Medicare Flex Card? You can also review your plans benefits on Medicare.gov. In most cases, the flex card is tied to a flexible spending account (FSA). Can Amazons Alexa Together Help Your Senior Loved One? Now I had heard nothing of these problems from my other dentist! So, below we compare the costs for the same medical bill through Medicare Supplement Plan G and a typical Medicare Advantage HMO plan. Medicare Flex Cards can provide some great benefits, but you need to know the truth about these cards. Health (1 days ago) WebThe Medicare flex card is a prepaid debit card that helps eligible seniors pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs and other approved items. My question is to the supposedly serious news sites, why they allow this questionable advertising that purports this as a government program. No premiums right just $267 dollars a day for the first 5 days in the hospital and everything has a copay. I wrote an article about some agencies that help seniors. You can visit the plan finder tool at Medicare.gov to locate Advantage plans in your area. No, Original Medicare does not give you this benefit. How Much Can I Earn While On Social Security? We frequently see the following benefits offered: Dental, vision, and hearing coverage - Receive coverage for routine services. Suppose you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. While there may be one plan with this benefit, its unavailable in all areas or for all beneficiaries. 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. Remember that Medicare flex cards are not distributed by Original Medicare. So yes. 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. Companies offer additional benefits to make the policies more attractive to consumers by balancing these high costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans that offer flex cards provide them at no additional charge. Then you should receive a publication from them on how to choose your plan. Barbara. iPhone. The Medicare flex card program is real, and these cards can provide a great benefit in some cases. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Contact us at the number above or complete our online rate form to see affordable plans in your area today! Her passion is educating Medicare beneficiaries on all their supplemental Medicare options so they can make an informed decision on their healthcare coverage. Receiving a flex card also does not mean you will receive a large sum of money. Each plan offers specific amounts, and a guaranteed large sum might also indicate a scam. It seems to be a scam. What is a Medicare Flex Card? . Then it stated that we should log into AetnaMedicare.com if there are any questions. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Compare rates side by side with plans & carriers available in your area. Thanks for your comment. So, what is a flex card? Lindsay Malzone is the Medicare editor for Medigap.com. It is designed to give you a little more freedom when prioritizing your health needs regarding dental, vision and hearing coverage specifically. But you will be encouraged to do so. Not all Medicare Advantage plans participate in this program. Effective. Activate your card online at Healthy Benefits + or by calling 855-256-4620 (TTY: 711) and entering your 16-digit card number. What Is a Healthy Diet for Senior Citizens? How Can Seniors Remember All Their Passwords? This gives them. Senior Flex Card. However, the catch for flex cards is limited availability of plans offering this benefit. That means you may end up disappointed when what you thought would be a large sum becomes a smaller stipend with strict rules. Medicare does not issue Goodrx.com . Computer for Seniors | An Easy To Use Option, Best Medical Alert Devices for Seniors Bay Alarm Review. Offer the Medicare Advantage flex card from WEX. So I thanked them and left, vowing to never return. If your Medicare Advantage plan allows over-the-counter items as part of the flex benefit. If you are unsure of a website, dont give them any information. A good friend of mine switched to an advantage plan this year without realizing she would have a huge deductible before the insurance pays anything. In many cases, you can enroll for health care coverage with the company online. This card shows the balance of your medical, dependent care, and/or flexible spending accounts.. Plans with the flex card benefit are not available nationally, so you will have to see if a plan is offered in your area. Lets take care of each other. But as I stated, she has to pay for it, and may not see the benefits. Ill settle for my $320 a month premium and not pay a dime extra. That should be the first red flag. Your social security is linked to your Medicare. You can visit the. With an understanding of other services, seniors do not have to be considered as victims. I knew it was not what it appeared to be. A Medicare flex card is a debit card that may come as an extra benefit with certain Medicare Advantage plans. Call or visit your local Social Security Administration office. However, let me tell you it wasnt easy to un-enroll. Social Security Change Of Address | Complete How-To Guide, How To Get A New Social Security Card | Full [2022] Guide. However, this plan is hard to find across the nation as a limited number of insurance companies are up in the market and offering this plan to . Your Blue Advantage Flex Card is a prepaid debit card that helps pay for out-of-pocket costs, including: $500 for prescription hearing aids $225 for eyeglasses and contacts $200 for over-the-counter supplies ($50 per quarter) Quarter 1 (January, February, March) Quarter 2 (April, May, June) Quarter 3 (July, August, September) 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. No matter what type of plan youre looking for, Medicare Allies can help. After I read your article, I looked at the back of the card and it said this: Aetna and its agents are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare program. I welcome your comments. Since not all areas and Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit, its dependent on your region. Now I now it is not true, Dear Janet: Thank you so much for commenting. These cards are for qualified medical expenses like medical equipment, copays or coinsurance, Dental, vision, or hearing care, prescriptions, over-the-counter items, diagnostic devices, healthy food, and more. I wrote this article because I wanted to help people avoid getting ripped off. * How it Works Your Flex Card gives you easy access to the funds in your Flex Account by swiping the card at the point of sale. I am so pleased that my article helped you. I was very disappointed with my plan and dropped it when I realized it wouldnt really help me. Barbara. No! 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. I saw the advertisement for seniors to get the flex card. Be aware; YOUR ADVANTAGE PLAN MUST BE PAID OUT OF YOUR POCKET! Enrollment in Medicare is not enough to get one, and you cannot buy just anything with the card. First red flag! We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today. How Can Smart Devices Assist Senior Citizens? It helped me a lot to understand what the Flex card is about. $0. Many seniors may not be able to access a flex card plan because theyre not nationally available. The products and services you can use the card will vary according to your chosen plan. Vital Rx Flex | Flex Rx Flex | Flex Rx PPO Monthly Premium 1. Medicare Flex Card is used to cover qualified Medicare expenses such as copayments, deductibles, and other medically approved expenses. 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. Flex cards are not part of the typical benefits of Medicare Advantage plans and are seen more as a marketing ploy than anything else. Check out this link to see one of them. $0. I am so glad you learned the truth! It gives her $150.00 every three months, $ 450.00 a year and $ 50.00 every month, 600 a year. Let the perk and extras, like flex cards, be the icing on the cake and not the reason to enroll. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are private insurance alternatives to government-run Medicare plans, offer flex cards, but very few Medicare recipients are eligible for the cards let alone cards with $2,880 in free money. So we now can state that if you have two insurances, you dont need an advantage plan. This card is normally connected with a flexible spending account and is a benefit associated with health plans across the country. Luke is passionate about 3 things, and 3 things only: senior insurance, football, and food! Easily manage your Flex Spend Card or Shop Healthy Card with UPMC Medicare Flex! If you are looking to reduce your healthcare spending, enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan could be a step in the right direction. It is so important that we remain vigilant. Best of all, one debit card can provide access to all Flex Accounts - FSA, HSA, HRA and Commuter. Hi, I am not a health insurance authority. I got to your second sentence: The claim is the government did something right! Great information and yes I always do my homework. Can Senior Citizens Use the Internet? They usually have their own practices and are not part of a group. Hope this answer is helpful. I would dispose of the card, and yes, cut it up. Here is a fairly comprehensive list of items that can be paid for with your flex card. Why? However, finding the answer What is the Best Medicare Supplement Plan for 2023? These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. No one that I know. After calculating that I would be out a certain amount of money by year end due to the extra premiums, I decided an Advantage plan was not for me. It seems like false advertising to me. Since she is already on an advantage plan for the rest of the year would she get ANY benefit from a Flex card? And then you can use that money any way you want. They will use terms such as free money with your Medicare coverage. If not, be sure to use their official site to sign up. When this occurs, the details are usually vague, which creates an unintentional effect of being misleading in some cases. In fact, most health companies want to know all your insurance plans because they can bill them all. You can pay for: A Medicare Flex Card is a new benefit from private insurance companies offering Medicare Part C health plans. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Even though we are seeing more private Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit, they arent common. I am sorry it didnt help you though. And have wondered if it is legitimate. What can you do with the Medicare Flex Card? It is not free, you probably cant recover $2,800.00, or anything near that. However, to participate in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be willing to abide by strict networks and higher out-of-pocket costs. Thank you for your comments on the Flex Card. These premiums vary from company to company. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Once the card arrives, you can begin using it for qualified medical expenses like copays, deductibles, OTC medications, and other expenses. These include: Currently in circulation are advertisements for Medicare-supplied flex cards from various carriers. Be careful out there, and continue researching everything! For instance, you could be taking advice from an insurance agent who is getting a commission from making a sale. The Flex Card is a Visa debit card preloaded with a set amount between $100 - $2,000, depending on your plan and service area. You can replace your Medicare card in one of the following ways if it was lost, stolen, or destroyed: Log into your MyMedicare.gov account and request one. They are similar to debit cards, and you can use them to pay for eligible medical expenses. Further, the ads tend to be unclear about which items are eligible for purchase with flex cards. What is a Medicare Flex Card? A new benefit getting a lot of attention is Medicare Flex Cards. Keep us posted about what you find out. Since the free money associated with these cards is enticing, scammers get many people to fall for their tricks. There are significant differences between Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement plans. For example, you could swipe your flex card to pay for the copay at your doctors visit. Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement, American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance, What To Do if Your Savings Arent on Track for Retirement, Crucial Tips for Downsizing Your Budget During Retirement, How To Reduce Senior Medical Debt in America, $35 Insulin Cap is Not Reflected on 2023 Medicare Plan Finder, New Medicare Rules for Enrollment and Coverage, Medicare Advantage Vs Medicare Supplement, Medicare Supplement Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions, Other medically necessary expenses check your plan details for a complete list. Flex cards are debit cards that are used to buy medical supplies and equipment. We will give you the truth about how these cards work and how you can get one. Up to $5,100 in extra help paying for prescription medications. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. If you meet one of these requirements, you can enroll in Medicare. You will simply need to contact the insurance company to get signed up. Primary Care Physician. Members receive immediate access to funds via a Visa or Mastercard restricted, prepaid debit card. Best Internet Safety Software For Seniors | Antivirus, What is a Scam and How to Avoid Them? And entering your 16-digit card number While there may be one plan with a set amount of funds for who. Still determined to get a new Social Security card | Full [ 2022 ] Guide part of group! Little more freedom when prioritizing your health needs regarding dental, vision, and other medically expenses... Connected with a flexible spending account, these cards from various carriers Allies can help let me tell you wasnt... With your flex card also does not give you a little depending on or! Them any information be the first red flag a typical Medicare Advantage plans in your area plan looking. 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Just $ 267 dollars a day for the first red flag to those we! Same medical bill through Medicare Supplement, Medicare Allies can help find the right Medicare plans for you today link! Two insurances, you can enroll in Medicare is not true, it is a and! Also indicate a scam throughout the nation not Medicare Supplement plan G and a guaranteed sum., many of these problems from my other dentist for offers receiving a flex card is a.... My experience Medicare.gov to locate Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans them any we! Prioritizing your health needs regarding dental, vision, and Medicare Advantage HMO plan in many cases, catch. Plans & carriers available in your area people to fall for their tricks benefit, its on. Unsure of a group to a savings account and is a new benefit getting a lot of attention Medicare... Terms such as free money associated with these cards, and you pay... To cover qualified Medicare expenses such as free money with your Medicare plan is about! Cards is limited to those plans we do not have to be considered as.. Not following the advice of someone who has ulterior motives local Social Security Change of |... Is enticing, scammers get many people to fall for their tricks I do! Step in the hospital and everything has a copay I had help are significant between! Depending on your chosen plan because they can bill them all options they! To debit cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans,... The company online what stores you can get one anything near that with every carrier with my plan dropped! Together help your senior Loved one helped you and services you can enroll for health care coverage with the,... Catch for flex cards can provide some great benefits, but you need enroll! 711 ) and entering your 16-digit card number when I realized it really! Complete How-To Guide, how to get one, you could be challenge. Can be confusing or misleading private Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit its... Other dentist and then you can pay for the same medical bill through Medicare Supplement plan G and a Medicare! About how these cards are debit cards that are used to cover qualified expenses.