Next, make sure that you are not following the advice of someone who has ulterior motives. Dont waste money on expensive hearing aids! . Flex Card For Seniors Over 65 - SeniorsProTalk.com This website is owned and operated by Assurance IQ, LLC. The Flex Card is a Visa debit card preloaded with a set amount between $100 - $2,000, depending on your plan and service area. In the case of Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or1-877-7SAFERX. Home / FAQs / Medicare Coverage / What Dental Services Are Covered by Medicare. The Administration on Aging (ACL) promotes the well-being of older individuals by providing services and programs designed to help them live independently in their homes and communities. Truthfully, Medicare is not distributing flex cards for seniors. The Medicare flex card is a prepaid debit card that helps eligible seniors pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs and other approved items. Fake Medicare advisor phone calls. It can be almost impossible to differentiate between the paid agents and the legitimate unbiased experts. You may also want to contact your primary care doctor and local pharmacist to head off any attempts by scammers to use your information. No, there is not a free Medicare flex card widely available to Medicare recipients. How can you protect yourself from Medicare scams? 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. In my experience, the best way to find a trustworthy Medicare counselor is to reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging. Flex cards are only available with Medicare Advantage plans. You're just a few steps away from seeing your Medicare plan options, Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. "It was stated it was set up by the government with Medicare for senior citizens . If a scammer calls you or your older adult to ask for their Medicare number or other personal information, hang up immediately. They are offered as a benefit to some . Many seniors have been lured into responding to ads that claimA request for payment that you submit to Medicare or other health insurance when you get items and services that you think are covered. Ashlee is a Medicare expert who specializes in Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D education. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Benefits for Older Adults - @NCOAging Yet, this depends on how long you delayed Medicare benefits without creditable coverage. 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. Final Expense Life Insurance Explained: Is It The Right Choice For You? food stamps However, it isnt difficult to see how private insurance companies can use them in a slimy way to promote free money and free Flex Cards. Sign Up For Medicare He went the extra mile. Medicare Supplement plans help beneficiaries reduce out-of-pocket spending by covering the holes in Original Medicare. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. What Is The Flex Card For Seniors? - USA Medicare Plan Fact Check: Government Medicare Program Does NOT Offer A Flex Card Flex cards are currently only available for Medicare Advantage plans, not for any other Medicare program. Hi Theresa. There are also eligibility criteria to make sure you can avail free government money. Flex card advertisements are designed to generate interest with bold statements, but can be short on details. coinsurance, you basically already have a Flex Card for all Medicare-approved expenses. 1. In fact, many of the advertisements were downright deceptive and implied . Flex cards for seniors work like pre-loaded debit cards. At best, it will be annoying. So it is important to know these programs very clearly and get started for application. Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. Millions of older adults may be missing out on programs to help pay for food, housing, healthcare, and more. cheap eats That includes the Flex Card. Flex cards hold money that can be used like a debit card to pay for certain medical expenses, like doctors visits, prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and other out-of-pocket medical expenses. 4706 Chiquita Blvd S. Suite 200-415 Start with some basic research by searching for the company or agents name online and seeing what comes up. The General Enrollment Period runs annually from January 1 to March 31. While some carriers offer a flex card benefit, it is rare to receive such a large amount. They will explain the important details of the coverage in the plan. She regularly spends hundreds of hours combing through countless resources to make sure that Low Income Relief has the most comprehensive and complete resource directories on the internet today. Most of the time it is a combined benefit annually to be used for either dental, vision or hearing. Beware New Medicare Card Scams | Federal Communications Commission EBT This is how the ad and the website appeared at the time of writing: You simply need to swipe your card at the providers location and select the credit/credit card option from the drop-down menu in order to avoid having to pay any transaction fee or enter a PIN. This new program gets some people $900 in free money every month Required fields are marked *. Social Security Flex Card For Seniors - SocialSecurityGuide.net Get affordable hearing aids that dont break the bank. Many of the flex card offers I found were only available for enrollees in specific states. The goal of the senior flex card is to get seniors to sign up for new Advantage plans during the time span of the open enrollment period. Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. But in some cases, fraud may be more subtle. help with bills Not all Medicare Advantage plans participate in this program. So, to qualify, you must have a participating policy. A lack of reviews, websites, or social media pages could indicate that a company or agent is new to the industry, or it could suggest that theyre not being honest about their business practices. Ultimately, you are responsible for your financial and other decisions. Medicare Flex Cards for Seniors - The Medicare Family Benefits Counselors are available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 9:00pm eastern time. Buy healthy food online or in person. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Money on the card can be used to pay for specific health services, such as dental or vision care, prescriptions, or even healthy groceries. Senior discounts can save you substantial amounts of money 10% to 80% off the normal price of a wide range of goods and services, including restaurant meals, travel and even prescription drugs. You also have to be wary of in-person advisors with an agenda. The name flex card harkens to what some of us know as a flexible spending account that reimburses for medical expenses. To be eligible for SSI cash benefits, your countable resources must be less than $2,000 for an individual, and $3,000 . This Medicare benefit is available for a limited-time and can be used for medical visits, prescription drugs and even groceries. 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. To learn more, Reach out Today at NewMedicare. A flexible spending account, or flex card, is a type of flexible spending account that reimburses medical expenses. . cash assistance Is $2880 Flex Card for seniors on Medicare legitimate? Can - YouTube As a result, any money loaded onto a flex card is offset by payments somewhere else. The deadline for compliance is September 30 after that, there will be repercussions for noncompliance. Get financial help for seniors from 2,500+ federal, state, and private benefits programs. Fraud may also be carried out by companies who offer services that they never deliver or who obtain customers personal data and then use it to commit identity theft. The blog notes that the cards are distributed by Medicare Advantage plans and says they are not available in every state and are not available with every carrier. These ads usually include a multitude of misleading or false claims. This means that a Medicare Advantage plan might have a flex card benefit in Georgia and North Carolina, but it may not be available in Texas.If youre interested in finding out whether there are plans that offer flex cards in your area, to see if there are any available. Its not that they condone it, but it takes them a while to crack down on the offending health insurance companies. Flex Cards are for medical bills that meet certain criteria. The Flex card is NOT a cash card and cant be used to get FREE money or cash back. Senior Flex Card - Real Or A Scam? | Senior Helper These benefits arent available in all areas. To qualify for a flex card, you must have health insurance that offers a flexible spending account. 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. Extra benefits are a good thing, but dont sacrifice important medical benefits to get a Flex Card allowance. However, to participate in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be willing to abide by strict networks and higher out-of-pocket costs. No, Medicare Flex Cards are not a scam. Interested employees can learn more about FSAFEDS by visiting the FSAFEDS website or by calling an FSAFEDS Benefits Counselor at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337). Programs for Seniors | HHS.gov Private Medicare Advantage plans distribute the cards in these ads not Original Medicare. Medicare Supplement plans make healthcare affordable and easy for all enrollees. Nicole started Low Income Relief after a personal experience with poverty. Federal Government Resources for Seniors Here, the general rule is to supply as little personal information as possible until youre ready to purchase a plan and youre confident that the provider is legitimate. If someone calls you & asks for your personal information, thats a big warning sign. The funds can be used to help pay for dental, vision or hearing needs beyond your plan. Call 211 to find agencies and community organizations that can assist you with finding food in an emergency. You will probably get a lot of phone calls and contact from insurance companies that have paid for your information. Eligibility for the Seniors Flex Cards. The FTC accepts complaints about all scams, like imposter scams, phone calls, emails, computer support senior scams, prizes, grants, and sweepstakes offers, student loan or scholarship scams, fake checks, and demands for you to send money. TTY 1-800-952-0450. Beware of These 15 Types of Senior Scams - MedAlertHelp.org It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. RMP Email:info@usamedicareplan.com The cards are not provided by Medicare. Mar 7, 2022. The Visa Flex Card Gives you: Choice: Visit in-network and out-of-network providers; There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. When your physician or nurse practitioner has referred you for physiotherapy after experiencing: You May Like: Post Office Change Of Address Form. Services allow blatantly misleading and false advertising about Medicare benefits? Open Season ends on September 30 if you are a new QLE employee and havent yet tor, this is your last chance. So, who qualifies for Medicare flex card? No. Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. For example, money may be added in a lump sum each year or in smaller amounts each quarter. 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.". Were here to help you make the right decision for your dental care needs and explain when Medicare covers dental services. free food Medicare-qualifying beneficiaries can use pre-loaded flex cards to pay for medical costs. Medicaid What are the costs of premiums and deductibles on the flex card plan compared to those without a flex card option? 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. first time home buyer programs Low Income Relief is an informational website that provides tips, advice, and information to help you make ends meet. state parks This is a scam. Invitations for applications for insurance are made through Assurance IQ, LLC, a licensed insurance agency, only where licensed and appointed. 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. That means 3 out of 5 seniors who qualify are missing out on benefits. Does Medicare Have A Flex Card For Seniors? | PolicyScout The Flex Card is a preloaded debit card that is available in a variety of categories for eligible medical care beneficiaries. If you want to find a Medicare Plan that offers a Flex Card then call us at (800) 783-5901. The purpose of this site is the solicitation of insurance. Once we are notified, we will order cards for the new members, based on the enrollment information received from the employer. Assurances license information can be found here. You may be eligible for survivor benefits from the government following a family member's death. So, it's not free; you're unlikely to recoup $2,800.00 or anything close to it. Then, report it by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or by going to the FTC website. free museum days This skates on the edge of false advertising. If so, you can reach them at 877-823-8276. You can't use the Flex card for seniors by spending on anything you want. Medicare flex cards for seniors are available exclusively through private insurance companies. Does Medicare Have a Flex Card for Seniors? | Flex Card Benefits So, why does the Center for Medicare & MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States. We frequently see the following benefits offered: Dental, vision, and hearing coverage - Receive coverage for routine services. Medicare Flex Card: Is It Legitimate? | HelpAdvisor.com Verify: Can Medicare recipients receive a free Medicare flex card? Not all private insurers offer flex cards, and not all flex card programs are created equal. This post may contain affiliate links. The new card will not affect Medicare benefits. This means they are not part of government-managed Medicare plans. In some cases, you can use your card to purchase healthy groceries at participating stores as well. A non-government site powered by Health Insurance Associates, LLC., a health insurance agency. A Medicare Advantage Flex Card is a prepaid debit card you can use to pay for specific health care costs. If a service or benefit is not covered under Medicare Part A or Part B, it cant be covered by a Medigap plan, either. - Dwight D. It is common to have many Medicare-related questions running through your mind at any given time. Employees can contribute up to $2,850 per year to their FSA, and employers may also contribute if they choose. ShopMyExchange: 5 Super Deals for Veterans. What is the Medicare Flex Card for Seniors? An ad saying there was $2,880 available in a Medicare Flex Card looked like a windfall to Laurence Archer. If the healthcare service being provided is covered by the flex card, cardholders would swipe the card at point-of-sale (POS) terminals to pay for services, and the amount is deducted from the account. These criteria vary based on the provider. Some may offer plans that include flex cards to customers who have been with the company for a certain length of time or may make these cards part of a tiered pricing system that requires customers to purchase plans with higher deductibles or copayments. Author: Unadilla, New York. The senior flex card is usually linked to a Medicare Advantage plan. Military funeral and burial honors. First, never give your personal information to any company that you do not know, especially online. coronavirus Housing help. Since the free money associated with these cards is enticing, scammers get many people to fall for their tricks. For instance, you could be taking advice from an insurance agent who is getting a commission from making a sale. Next, contact your bank to inform them that you may have been a victim of Medicare fraud and identity theft and ask them to watch for any suspicious activity. Our service is 100% free and were happy to help you. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Ask your older adult to confirm their Medicare number or Social Security number so a new card can be mailed out. Flex cards are debit cards loaded with a predetermined amount of money. Co-payments and deductibles. In our community, we have a so-called advisor who lurks around our local food banks. So, many legitimate insurance companies offer this benefit. transportation Money on Medicare flex cards, meanwhile, is disbursed according to a schedule set by Medicare Advantage providers. Jan 10 2012. Once you sign up for a plan, your provider will send you your flex card along with information about how you can spend the money. Additionally, Ashlee trains new and tenured Medicare agents on CMS compliance guidelines. Burial reimbursement for a COVID-19 death. 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. Millions of Americans could now be eligible to get their "Flex Card" to spend up to $2,880/year free of charge. seniors Monthly benefits are transferred to the seniors' personal Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT . Some providers add in clauses that specify certain thresholds for eligibility, such as plan type or medical history, meaning you could sign up for a plan only to discover you wont be getting a flex card. children We do not offer every plan available in your area. Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State - DailyCaring Its also worrisome if theres no information to be found at all. food I got scammed on the last offer all they wanted was me to change to them for Medicare coverage I dont know where they get people to say they got a flex card. 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. If the Medicare plan offered $1000 of Dental benefits and the Flex card has a $500 allowance then you would have a total benefit of $1500. Also, the cards have spending limits that vary by plan and carrier. Using a flexible spending account to pay for elder's - AgingCare How To Get Free Government Money for Seniors Over 50 Another option for dental coverage is to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with dental benefits. Medicare does not issue the flex card. 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. Ashlee Zareczny is the Compliance Supervisor for MedicareFAQ. There is a lot of government department and platform to provide free government money for seniors over 50. Jagger Esch is the Medicare expert for MedicareFAQ and the founder, president, and CEO of Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ.com. These cards are offered only by insurance companies that provide these flexible cards. Benefits.gov is home to a range of information on senior related resources offered by our Federal Partners. Despite a recent uptick in online advertising, however, these cards remain relatively rare. Misconceptions about Medicare flex cards. If someone is offering you a flex card with an Original Medicare or Medicaid plan they are trying to scam you. Phone: (800) 783-5901. 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. Its very important to be careful with where you put your information online. However, theyre not offered by Medicare directly. health The money in your FSA can be used on your parents if they qualify as your dependent. THE ANSWER. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications. But more often than not, you might find yourself attracted towards a scam that can take all your money. Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), meanwhile, are offered through employer-sponsored healthcare. 2022 we each got $50 for food and $500 each for medical each. A Medicare flex card is a debit card that may come as an extra benefit with certain Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Flex Cards For Seniors - Discover The Benefits | Assurance IQ I am so glad for the information. Senior Discounts & Benefits: Your 2023 Ultimate Guide - RetireGuide Don't Fall For Flex Card For Seniors Scams! - Low Income Relief Compare rates side by side with plans & carriers available in your area. Medicare Flex cards feature misleading ads | WNCT As a general guideline, you should never provide private information online to unknown businesses. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. 2023 we got one card for both food and medical. New Medicare Benefit Gives Seniors "Flex Card' To Spend $2,880 Every Year Free Of Charge. You may find out that the flex card for seniors is just a distraction from damaging fine print that would put you in a far worse financial situation overall. Uncovering the Details of the $900 Medicare Grocery Benefit What is a Life Insurance Annuity And How Does it Work? What Is the Flex Card for Seniors? | ClearMatch Medicare 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. Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. Depending on the advertisement, some claimed these cards could be worth $2,880 or more! The money on these cards is offered in addition to existing insurance coverage and allows cardholders to use them as they see fit. Be careful what you click on and always read the fine print. Food Assistance | USAGov 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 . However, whats covered may vary from provider to provider. items. If you believe that you have been the victim of a Medicare scam or you see advertisements for flex cards or other plans that seem suspicious, you can report these scams to the government. Boca Raton, Florida. You can take advantage of many senior discounts when you are as young as 50. Misleading 'Medicare flex card' ads target seniors on Facebook We do not offer every plan available in your area. Assistance for Seniors | Food and Nutrition Service - USDA college It can be used in addition to the basic benefits that are already provided in the plan. Flex cards aren't the only extra benefit offered by Medicare Advantage plans. If you find a host of reviews indicating that customers didnt get what they paid for or that the plans arent as advertised, this is an indication that something isnt right. When people advertise things like this, its usually because they have a financial interest in getting you to sign up. So make sure you know which are. . We were unable to find any Flex Cards that actually had the $2,880 that they originally advertised. Posts claiming to provide a spending card for adults over the age of 51 through government programs are a scam. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are private insurance alternatives to government-run Medicare plans, offer flex cards, but very few . Don't Fall Victim to These 5 Scams During Medicare Open Enrollment This card is often known by a few different names, including: Medicare food card; . Two types - a medical care or health care FSA and dependent care FSA - are typically offered through an employer. Flex Card For Seniors Qualifications | Medicare Flex Card for seniors We bought a medical item and it came off the $125. Medicare Flex cards do not replace Original Medicare. Heres what you need to know about flex cards and their function. A public service connecting you to services for older adults and their families. It is usually an annual benefit that can be used for dental, eye, or hearing care. ). home repair Advertisements that claim or indicate that flex cards are being offered by government agencies are, therefore, patently false. Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account. They are offered by private health insurance companies as an additional benefit to their members. Sometimes you have to qualify for that type of plan or benefit based on your health needs and income such as being eligible for assistance programs such as Medicaid. However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. While flex cards may be offered as part of Medicare Advantage plans, there is no government flex card for seniors. This is a scam. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. However, when it comes to dental coverage on Medicare, you are not without options. Visa flex card I got a email from the flex card program that said I could get up to 10,000 in credit. That just doesnt make sense for most people. Often, Medicare Advantage plans have high maximum out-of-pocket costs. newly Eligible employees can enroll in FSAFEDS during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. Does Medicare Have a Flex Card for Seniors? Learn more about our editorial and advertising policies. help Spending Limit for Medicare Flex Cards. A Flex card is provided by an insurance company on behalf of a Flex card licensee.