Medicare Flex Card for Seniors

A Medicare flex card is offered by some Medicare Advantage plans and functions as a preloaded debit card. It helps beneficiaries cover key expenses such as over-the-counter products, assistive devices, essential medications, healthy foods, and copayments for dental, hearing, and vision services.

Key Takeaways:

• Although linked to Medicare, flex cards are not provided by the government but rather by private Medicare Advantage providers.
• Flex card amounts range from $250 to $1,500 and can be loaded monthly, quarterly, or annually.
• Beware of Medicare scams involving fake flex cards.

What Do Flex Cards Cover?

Generally, a Medicare flex card will cover:

Item	Examples
Groceries	Veggies and fresh meats
Utility bills	Gas, water and electricity
Over-the-counter health products	Toothpaste and vitamins
Assistive tools	Handrails, shower stools and ramps
Healthcare allowance	Dental, vision and hearing services
Fitness activities	Facility memberships, weight loss programs and fitness classes

The items you can purchase with your Medicare flex card depend on your specific Medicare Advantage plan, so always verify the coverage details with your provider.

Important to note: the Medicare flex card cannot be used to withdraw cash or receive cash back.

How Do I Get a Flex Card?

To be eligible for a Medicare flex card, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes the card as a benefit. Individuals with Original Medicare alone do not qualify for the flex card.

Eligibility for the flex card is determined by the insurance provider, not Medicare itself. Some Medicare Advantage plans may limit the flex card to individuals who meet specific criteria, such as those with chronic health conditions.

Which Medicare Advantage Providers Offer Flex Cards?

Some leading Medicare Advantage providers, including Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna, offer valuable benefits to their beneficiaries, such as a flex card.

However, it’s important to carefully review each plan’s specifics to get a clear picture of what’s covered, including any limits or conditions.

A flex card’s availability and specific benefits can vary significantly between different providers and even between different plans from the same provider.

Beware of Medicare Flex Card Scams

Medicare Advantage plans offer flex cards but beware of scammers targeting seniors with misleading ads. Red flags include false claims of flex cards being a government benefit, offering the flex card as “free money,” and unsolicited communication attempts encouraging you to provide personal information.

Remember, legitimate companies usually only contact you if you reach out first.

• Suspicious?

  If you suspect a Medicare flex card scam or any Medicare-related fraud, report it immediately by calling:

  1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Bottom Line

Before choosing a Medicare Advantage plan with a flex card, evaluate its overall benefits and potential tradeoffs. Consider the insurance company’s reputation, network coverage, medication coverage, cost implications, savings with the flex card, and its restrictions.

Exploring alternatives, such as Medicare Supplement plans, is also helpful in finding the best fit for your healthcare needs.

Sources:  GoodRx |  Anthem BCBS |  AARP

FAQs

• What is the disadvantage of a Medicare flex card?

  One disadvantage of a flex card is the “use it or lose it” feature, where any unspent funds contributed to the account are forfeited at the end of the year.

• Can you buy groceries with a flex card?

  Yes, you can buy healthy groceries with a flex card, which can cover the cost of out-of-pocket health and wellness needs. 

• How do I get a flex card?

  You can get a flex card by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers this benefit, provided you are eligible for Original Medicare.