I suggest you check out various ads for this card. I bet it is a form of advertising that they hope to hook you in once you call them. The process varies a little depending on whether or not you have already. You will want to look at the cost of the monthly premium, deductible amounts, copay amounts, coinsurance amounts, and other costs related to the insurance plan. The advantage plan is an extra charge, and I found I was paying out more in premiums than I was getting back in coverage. And I never did. Guard your personal information and only share with trusted sources. And we seniors have to be so careful to not be taken advantage of. The cards pay for several out-of-pocket costs associated with your plan. The HMO tied to her Medicare has been issuing a MasterCard that also acts as her insurance card. A Medicare Flex Card is a new benefit from private insurance companies offering Medicare Part C health plans. Why Is There a Big Push to Buy Medicare Advantage? Im a Senior Citizen Who Wants To Learn Something New, Agencies that Help Senior Citizens (especially during COVID19). Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit linked to qualifying health plans throughout the nation. Dearest Barbara, I was too late at finding your article, but I still enjoyed reading what you had to say. Collecting Unemployment While On SSDI/SSI. It is the single reason I elected to go with Elite. Barbara. Unfortunately, there are many scams out there today that advertise free flex cards. 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. (I know, I know; wishful thinking) I would like to share my experience. The process usually just requires providing them with your basic personal information to get you signed up. And some other medically necessary expenses. 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. If there is a plan available in your area, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in that plan. Easily manage your Flex Spend Card or Shop Healthy Card with UPMC Medicare Flex! Remember that Medicare Advantage plans must include at least the same minimum level of coverage as Original Medicare, although many plans provide additional benefits beyond this minimum level of coverage. What is a Medicare Flex Card? Is Medisafe a Good App For Seniors? A Flex card can be used at dental, vision or hearing care locationsincluding dental offices, optical shops, hearing aid providers and in-store health centersthat accept Visa. Thanks, Barbara. Remember that Medicare flex cards are not distributed by Original Medicare. Her passion is educating Medicare beneficiaries on all their supplemental Medicare options so they can make an informed decision on their healthcare coverage. Thank you for your comments on the Flex Card. Dear Lillian: Thank you for your input. Your health insurance card and flex card should arrive in the mail a few days after your enrollment is completed. The Flex Card Is Linked to a Medicare Advantage Plan The name flex card harkens to what some of us know as a flexible spending account that reimburses for medical expenses. Some flex cards come pre-loaded with a certain amount of money already available for use. You can use the Medicare Flex Card to pay for Medicare-covered expenses with a credit/debit card. How to Save Money on Prescriptions. However, most of the time these cards do not have that high of an amount (in 2023 the average was $500) and the funds . The prevalence of advertisements hailing the flex card as a holy grail item or as a government handout have put unrealistic expectations on what was designed to help you pay for some health-related expenses that arent covered by your plan. Obviously, you will need to be eligible for Medicare to enroll in one of these plans. Now I now it is not true, Dear Janet: Thank you so much for commenting. I am not going to use the name of the company. And contact Social Security to find out what her account says. Flex card will take money out of our bank account when we use it. 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. Use the card to pay for health care services not covered by Medicare, such as dental, vision and hearing care. Enroll now in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan. Plain text explanation available for any plan in any state. Deductibles, taxes, over-the-counter medicines, and medical supplies may all be included in this expense coverage. Once we are notified, we will order cards for the new members, based on the enrollment information received from the employer. This tool makes it easy to search for and compare plans in your area. Here it is. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Since this is essentially free money that the insurance company is giving you, the higher the amount, the better. You will need to wait until the annual open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. Our secure app makes managing your benefits easy through real-time access and intuitive navigation to all your . Transportation - Receive a certain amount of rides at no cost. What years did you serve in the military? I am actually not sure if that is an advantage plan that you are talking about. By. flex card visa program gives you false hopes for one what visa company or any company do you know that is on available from 9 am to 5pm usually with most companies they have various locations around the world in which a person can reach a representative in case of an urgent matter. And each and every plan wants to have you sign up for their Advantage Plan. So, how do you avoid these scams? This flex card isnt what it claims to be. Medigap plans are a direct extension of Original Medicare, available through private insurance companies. Plans with the flex card benefit are not available nationally, so you will have to see if a plan is offered in your area. Qualifying for a flex card means enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a flex card benefit. Also, good to know that people are reading this post, because I think the Flex card is a ripoff. The benefits are for items approved by your health insurance plan. What memory is most important to you? You should automatically receive your flex debit card in the mail around the beginning of your plan You should contact the plan provider to get specific information about coverage details and eligibility requirements. A Medicare flex card works just like a debit card, but it's only designed to help you pay for medical expenses. Is the Flex card free? Want to know more? | Coverage Guide Inside. I would dispose of the card, and yes, cut it up. You can visit the plan finder tool at Medicare.gov to locate Advantage plans in your area. Whether its answering a few questions about Medicare or creating a comprehensive Medicare Planner with you, we are your Medicare Allies. Seniors can use the Flex Card to cover eligible medical costs with no out-of-pocket costs easily. I got to your second sentence: The claim is the government did something right! Your situation also dictates which plan is best for you. Lillian C. Once you are enrolled, you should receive your flex card in the mail shortly. Luke is passionate about 3 things, and 3 things only: senior insurance, football, and food! Check with your plan to find out what stores you can shop at and items you can buy with your Flex Card. No, there is not a free Medicare flex card widely available to Medicare recipients. Why? The insurance agent on the phone explained the same. Cosmetic services are not covered. I agree. The insurance companies want to make money off of you. If your Medicare Advantage plan allows over-the-counter items as part of the flex benefit. Scam Alerts for Seniors Part 2, What is a Scam and How to Avoid Them? However, enrollment in just any Medicare plan wont do it. Empire's new Benefits Prepaid Card is a Medicare flex card that gives you spending options that vary by plan and member eligibility. These cards, which are typically linked to a flexible spending account, are a benefit that is trying to quality healthcare plans across the country. 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. Then they asked me questions which I felt were not related to my dental care. Why Should Senior Citizens Perform Balance Exercises? Flex cards have been used in the past to lure in seniors by overpromising availability and use when, in fact, they are not common. DarkoStojanovic/Pixabay Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. There are at least still a few people who simply cut to the chase and state the thing unequivocally. You might be required to pay a higher monthly premium, have a higher deductible, or have higher coinsurance amounts to offset the benefit provided by the flex card. There are significant, differences between Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement plans. And enjoy all the PayFlex Card has to offer. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Flex Cards are for use to cover qualifying medical expenses only. They want to make a sale! I was connected to a health insurance broker. Everything you need to know about flex cards for seniors: what they are, who needs them, and how Medicare can help provide coverage. 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. 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. If you have further helpful information, post that here too. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to order a replacement card to be sent in the mail. at Medicare.gov to locate Advantage plans in your area. Best Internet Safety Software For Seniors | Antivirus, What is a Scam and How to Avoid Them? Elliot has spent years providing clear and concise information to help navigate the complex nuances of social security and many other government services in the United States. However, that is not the case! As a senior who has qualified for Medicare, you must choose a Medical Insurance Plan. In that case, you can call the customer service number on the back of your medical card to receive assistance. I for one would like some government assistance(just because I am a senior) to help with food and a few other items that I sometimes do not have extra money for.. That would be a PLUS for appreciation for us older folk!! Thank you for your comment. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that provides this benefit. Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and . 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. However, this is almost never the case. I also let my family know and friends be aware. Its that easy! I checked into the advantage plans. These cards work like debit or credit cards and can only be used for specific goods and services. In fact, most health companies want to know all your insurance plans because they can bill them all. I just tell them Medicare doesnt call you and I hang up. Here is a fairly comprehensive list of items that can be paid for with your flex card. However, the senior flex card cannot be used on these types of items unless they are considered medically necessary by your doctor. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Medicare Advantage utility cards. What Time Does Walmart Open Tomorrow Morning00:00 - What is a senior flex card?00:24 - What is the Medicare $900 grocery benefit?00:49 - Does everyone on Med. 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