Consumers mislead by Medicare Flex card ads. Not all Medicare Advantage plans participate in this program. - Jeff R. Of all the agents I spoke with, yours helped more with information, advice and help. You can't use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. If they approach you or contact you first, do not engage. Flex cards aren't the only extra benefit offered by Medicare Advantage plans. To learn more, Reach out Today at NewMedicare. Typically, Medicare Flex Cards have pre-determined . 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. 4706 Chiquita Blvd S. Suite 200-415 Unlike flex cards, however, FSAs are linked to health insurance plans that are offered through employment. We got $125 each for food and $500 for medical. Open Season ends on September 30 if you are a new QLE employee and havent yet tor, this is your last chance. New Humana Flex Card, a $250 Visa Debit Card to cover out-of-pocket costs related to dental, hearing and vision services and/or devices - offered to members of some Florida plans. Advertisements that claim or indicate that flex cards are being offered by government agencies are, therefore, patently false. These private insurance company-issued cards are only accessible on specific plans. The card will be linked to a flexible savings account and will have a spending limit. Get a Life Insurance quote today. As a senior who has qualified for Medicare, you must choose a Medical . Claims of free money are meant to distract from other costs, and are a red flag that providers arent being entirely honest. At worst, it could result in you being scammed. So, it's not free; you're unlikely to recoup $2,800.00 or anything close to it. Truthfully, Medicare is not distributing flex cards for seniors. The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. Unfortunately, there are many scams out there today that advertise free flex cards. For example, if youre in the market for new glasses, but your Medicare Advantage plan does not provide vision coverage, you may be able to use your flex card to cover some or all of the cost. You should automatically receive your flex debit card in the mail around the beginning of your plan debt Co-payments and deductibles. For more information about the new Medicare card, visit the CMS new card information page. So, you must live in an area where at least one of these plans is available and sign up during a qualifying Medicare enrollment period. 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. In Network and Out of Network choices! Final Expense Life Insurance Explained: Is It The Right Choice For You? * Average time of receiving a Medicare plan recommendation is less than 15 minutes from start of conversation, 2019-2021. The flex card for seniors offer is typically tied to a Medicare Advantage plan. 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. Only talk to them if they approach you first. First, never give your personal information to any company that you do not know, especially online. Further, the ads tend to be unclear about which items are eligible for purchase with flex cards. The purpose of the flex card for seniors is to entice them into enrolling in new Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment season. You may also want to contact your primary care doctor and local pharmacist to head off any attempts by scammers to use your information. Advertisements that claim or indicate that flex cards are being offered by government agencies are, therefore, patently false. help How Much Does It Cost To Refinance A Home? Millions of Americans could now be eligible to get their "Flex Card" to spend up to $2,880/year free of charge. A Facebook post says that senior citizens can get a Medicare "flex card" that pays for groceries and prescriptions. But in some cases, fraud may be more subtle. You can do this online at Healthy Benefits Plus or by calling 855-256-4620 (TTY: 711). Part A is hospital coverage. However, this is entirely not true. If you suspect that youve been victimized, the first step is to reduce the amount of damage the scammer can do to your identity or credit history. Assurance IQ, LLC is not affiliated with Assurance Agency, Ltd., nor any government agency. This post may contain affiliate links. Workers who decide to join the union after the Open Season has ended but before their 60-day anniversary of hire are considered new members. In most cases, the flex card is tied to a flexible spending account (FSA). However, most of the time these cards do not have that high of an amount (in 2023 the average was $500) and the funds . Starting in late summer 2021, advertisements started to appear everywhere offering a senior flex card. cheap eats 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. They will explain the important details of the coverage in the plan. First, take the time to verify that the company or agent youre dealing with is legitimate. In addition, policyholders cannot carry both Medigap and Medicare Advantage insurance. We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today. 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. Several attendences from government funded agency were sent, but they would take advantage of his situation. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Compare Plans and Get Quotes FLEX is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by American Councils for International Education. The amount that comes preloaded on the card and the services and items you are allowed to spend it on is determined by your Medicare Advantage provider. Buy healthy food online or in person. However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. Everything you need to know about flex cards for seniors: what they are, who needs them, and how Medicare can help provide coverage. It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. This Medicare benefit is available for a limited-time and can be used for medical visits, prescription drugs and even groceries. 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. The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs; increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported agricultural programs; and aid in the development of new and . When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. It has two parts. If you see an advertisement for a free flex card or an Original Medicare flex card, it's probably not legitimate. 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. Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans throughout the nation. medical assistance Flex cards are not provided by Medicare the government-run program for senior citizens. The Visa Flex Card Gives you: Choice: Visit in-network and out-of-network providers; Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement, American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance, How To Promote Mental Wellness in Old Age, How To Be a Snowbird Without Breaking the Bank, 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, Medicare Advantage Vs Medicare Supplement, Medicare Supplement Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions, Other medically necessary expenses check your plan details for a complete list. So, to qualify, you must have a participating policy. Contact us at the number above or complete our online rate form to see affordable plans in your area today! . Millions of older adults may be missing out on programs to help pay for food, housing, healthcare, and more. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. There are several things that you can do to stay away from these traps. 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. So heres the deal, every year right around the annual open enrollment period which runs from Oct 15th to Dec 7th, theres always a certain benefit thats heavily advertised by medicare sales agencies. Flex card offers that claim to give you free money are also a red flag because, put simply, they arent giving you free money. In the case of Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or1-877-7SAFERX. While flex cards may be offered as part of Medicare Advantage plans, there is no government flex card for seniors. Health care is confusing and its too important to make mistakes on. Medicare Advantage insurers make it a little easier by bundling all the benefits together and often packaging additional benefits into their plans. homeless free food Only private insurance carriers offer Medicare flex cards, not the federal government. Money on the card can be used to pay for specific health services, such as dental or vision care, prescriptions, or even healthy groceries. 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. Are You Confused About Medicare and Having Trouble Choosing the Right Plan. While both FSAs and flex cards may be used to cover the cost of health services, FSAs have set contribution limits. In order to qualify for a flex card, you must qualify for a health insurance plan with a flexible spending account. Plan for your familys future. . The average flex card in 2022 is pre-loaded with $500. Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. Medigap plans are a direct extension of Original Medicare, available through private insurance companies. The government does not set up Flex Card but these are connected to a specific health insurance plan. Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. The spending allowance deposited on most cards is only a few hundred dollars. Start with some basic research by searching for the company or agents name online and seeing what comes up. The top 3 Medicare Supplement plans for 2020 include Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. Find out which ones you're eligible for here. The amount of money you can use will depend on your health care insurance provider and plan. Dont fall for it. Is the senior flex card legitimateno, the Senior Flex Card is not a legitimate form of payment. To be eligible for SSI cash benefits, your countable resources must be less than $2,000 for an individual, and $3,000 . Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Were always tempted to cave to our anxiety and offer them our private details. Assurance IQ is a licensed representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PPFS organizations and prescription drug plans with a Medicare contract. Assurances license information can be found here. So make sure you know which are. Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. In reality, a very small percentage of plans available nationwide offer this benefit. For the 2023 plan year, the average is $500. This is a scam. You cant use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. The whole point of the flex card for seniors is to lure seniors into enrolling in new Medicare Advantage plans while its open enrollment season. This is especially true for insurance contracts, which may contain provisions or stipulations that can affect both your coverage and how much you pay. Cash Services: Flex Card Program. Fake Medicare advisor phone calls. "It was stated it was set up by the government with Medicare for senior citizens . Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. A flex card for seniors is a debit card offered by certain private Medicare Advantage providers. Companies offer additional benefits to make the policies more attractive to consumers by balancing these high costs. Are the flex card for seniors legitimate or a scam? However, if your prospective flex card plan is asking for personal information to provide you with a high-level overview of the plan, this is a red flag. To help reduce the risk of flex card-based fraud, its worth watching out for common red flags. . Often, the so-called advisor will pressure you to act quickly. The average SNAP benefit for seniors is $105/month A common myth about SNAP is that it only gives $16 worth of benefits per month. In November 2022 we tried to use the flex medical card for everything we bought, it worked for anything. The government does not set up Flex Card but these are connected to a specific health insurance plan. THE ANSWER. 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. There are also eligibility criteria to make sure you can avail free government money. 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 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. 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. Only one agent from our office will contact you. Only a small number of private insurance companies offer flex cards, and even then, it . There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Consequently, there are several legitimate insurance companies that provide these advantages. Sign Up For Medicare 3. What Is Permanent Life Insurance and How Does It Work? 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. Be especially careful with people who approach you without you asking or who push particular plans. Scammers love Medicare open enrollment season. Flex cards are not administered by the Federal Government and are not considered insurance. Federal Assistance Open Season for FSAFEDS enrollment happens yearly between the months of November and December. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Read Article . These include: Currently in circulation are advertisements for Medicare-supplied flex cards from various carriers. The amount of each monthly food stamps payment is based on household size and income, but the maximum monthly payment for the benefit period of October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023 is $281 for a one-person household and $516 for a two-person household. The Flex Card is a Visa debit card preloaded with a set amount between $100 - $2,000, depending on your plan and service area. Never give someone who says they work for Medicare your address, name, bank account information, Social Security number, Medicare number, or any other information that could be used to find you. Burial reimbursement for a COVID-19 death. We also have written an article on whats a flex cards for seniors? Even with the flex card benefit, the Medicare Advantage HMO plan still produces higher out-of-pocket costs than the Medicare Supplement Plan G. In fact, a recent study by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance shows that a higher number of people are enrolling in Medicare Supplement Plan G to help save money on out-of-pocket costs. health He went the extra mile. Tools such as state insurance databases can help you look up agent or company credentials. Boca Raton, Florida. . If someone is offering you a flex card with an Original Medicare or Medicaid plan they are trying to scam you. He is what is known as a captive agent because he only works with one insurer in this case, its United Healthcare. 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. Spending more than necessary for healthcare is frustrating. Save Money on Current Coverage As a general rule, you should never provide your sensitive personal information online to unknown organizations. Benefits Counselors are available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 9:00pm eastern time. Medicare Flex cards do not replace Original Medicare. While the claim may be objectively true, consider how these funds are dispersed. Youre not alone! However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. The flex card for seniors offer is typically tied to a Medicare Advantage plan. You're just a few steps away from seeing your Medicare plan options, Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. This is how the ad and the website appeared at the time of writing: You can deposit money onto a Flex Card. May cover meal delivery services. Then you can get a flex card and the amount of money to spend through a flex card may highly depend on the type of Medicare Advantage plan you select. Since the free money associated with these cards is enticing, scammers get many people to fall for their tricks. Then, report it by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by going to the FTC website. These optional plans combine Medicare and additional services into healthcare packages tailored specifically for seniors. Call CareConnect USAs secure affordable hearing aid line at 888-258-5305 for assistance today! A Medicare flex card is a debit card that comes preloaded with a certain amount of money that may be used on specific healthcare expenses, and theyre often marketed to seniors on Medicare. Dont fall victim to online scams. But more often than not, you might find yourself attracted towards a scam that can take all your money. 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. Here are three techniques to guard against the majority of Medicare frauds. 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. Depending on the advertisement, some claimed these cards could be worth $2,880 or more! 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. 2. EBT Author: Nicole Smith Created Date: 11/1/2021 2:59:08 PM . 2022 GovernmentDigest.net | Contact us: contact@governmentdigest.net. Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. Heres what you need to know about flex cards and their function. SNAP Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans throughout the nation. Expanded Nutrition Assistance for Low-Income Seniors. food stamps To get the card, you'll need to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the program. Health Plans have the freedom to create flexible benefit accounts that cover multiple categories to best suit member needs. Enter your ZIP code to pull plan options available in your area. When it comes to flex cards, its worth reading the fine print to make sure youre eligible for a card before agreeing to the plan. Qualify [sic] Seniors Can Spend up to $2,880 each year for medical appointments prescriptions and more. We can help find the right Medicare plans for you today. Although flex cards do come pre-loaded with a set dollar amount you can use, the benefits of this money may be offset by additional out-of-pocket costs such as higher deductibles, higher coinsurance rates, and higher monthly premiums. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. 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. However, they all require beneficiaries to pick up their Medicare Advantage plans. Two cards. Over-the-counter benefits - Receive a certain amount of money each . In some instances, this fraud is carried out by individuals who provide misleading or false information to insurance providers as a means to access services at reduced costs or by using someone elses identity. The new card will not affect Medicare benefits. As a general guideline, you should never provide private information online to unknown businesses. Not all Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage, but many do. In this case, your information could be used to commit insurance fraud or as part of an identity theft scam. We were unable to find any Flex Cards that actually had the $2,880 that they originally advertised. 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. Its a pre -paid debit type card such as Visa or Mastercard that can be used toward the cost of extra Dental, Vision, and Hearing services. Get More Details and Apply Here: Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We bought a medical item and it came off the $125. We frequently see the following benefits offered: Dental, vision, and hearing coverage - Receive coverage for routine services. Fraudsters take advantage of times when things are changing and its more difficult to spot a scam. 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. New Medicare Benefit Gives Seniors "Flex Card' To Spend $2,880 Every Year Free Of Charge. Does any of this value roll over to the next year? Call 211 to find agencies and community organizations that can assist you with finding food in an emergency. Social Security Retirement Benefits, USA Medicare Plan There are many organizations out there that help seniors with Medicare planning and other similar items, so finding one of these organizations can provide a great benefit. While various Medicare Advantage providers offer these cards, its also important to remember that Medicare Advantage Plan benefits will vary based on location. As you may know from our previous video on Medicare benefits, Medicare has many parts and is very complicated. It is usually an annual benefit that can be used for dental, eye, or hearing care. Last year ,2021, we got 50 and 500 but found out in November we could buy anything. You probably heard the news about $2888 Medicare Government Flex card for seniors, such as this article: "Americans Over 65 Are Rushing To Claim Their Flex C. Ultimately, the amount of money that you may be able to receive on a flex card varies depending on where you live and what plan you select. I am so glad for the information. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, your provider will ask for personal and medical information to determine the overall cost of your plan and the best mix of coverages and limits that work for you. The Flex Card Is Linked to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Seniors can get their "Medicare Flex Card" for a limited time. Thats far less than the $2,880 that I originally saw advertised. healthcare Tap Below To Call & Qualify! . If you qualify, you may be able to receive death benefits including: Survivor payments. Its always good to work with a licensed broker who can guide you. first time home buyer programs certain items that can be purchased with an EBT card. Spending Limit for Medicare Flex Cards. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications. The cards are available in limited geographic areas. Getting a senior flex card starts with finding a private health insurance provider that offers these cards as part of their Medicare Advantage plans. When you sign up for Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, your coverage goes into effect on the first day of the following month. The cards are not provided by Medicare. He is featured in many publications as well as writes regularly for other expert columns regarding Medicare. A Flex card is provided by an insurance company on behalf of a Flex card licensee. Its also worrisome if theres no information to be found at all. It is a scam that tries to get seniors to sign . 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. It is best to contact your insurer directly to inquire if your plan offers this benefit. That means 3 out of 5 seniors who qualify are missing out on benefits. 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.". The Medicare Flex Card is not an insurance policy, and it does not replace Medicare coverage. 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. Since Medicare Advantage providers are the issuers of flex cards, carrying a Medigap plan means there is no way to access a flex card. You May Like: Do Post Offices Have Notaries. In this article, were going to answer your most important questions, including: Starting in late summer 2021, advertisements started to appear everywhere offering a senior flex card. 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.
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