Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. Also, be wary of live gurus who have their own plans. To get the card, you'll need to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the program. Updated. Please note that this line is for HEARING AIDS and not for information about the Flex Cards. Flex cards aren't the only extra benefit offered by Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and in some states to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End Stage Renal disease. This means they are not part of government-managed Medicare plans. It is a scam that tries to get seniors to sign . Sign Up For Medicare This skates on the edge of false advertising. Since the free money associated with these cards is enticing, scammers get many people to fall for their tricks. 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. This is a marketing tool of the private company and gets you to change your Medicare Advantage plan to another company. Although they arent technically scammers, some of them dont mind playing dirty and being deceptive in their advertising. The flex card for seniors offer is typically tied to a Medicare Advantage plan. However, when it comes to dental coverage on Medicare, you are not without options. . You also have to be wary of in-person advisors with an agenda. Depending on how many times you spend your money, you will have the same limits as on the other cards that youve got. 4706 Chiquita Blvd S. Suite 200-415 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. On the other hand, Medicare Supplement plans allow beneficiaries to save money while receiving the benefits they need to reduce Original Medicare costs. It covers doctor visits, preventative care, tests, durable medical equipment, and supplies. How can you protect yourself from scammers and bad actors? Part A is hospital coverage. Getting a senior flex card starts with finding a private health insurance provider that offers these cards as part of their Medicare Advantage plans. Thats far less than the $2,880 that I originally saw advertised. Some Medicare Advantage plans with flex cards make all funds available upfront at the beginning of the year, while others opt for installment models that see additional money added every month or every quarter. The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. Medicare does not issue the flex card. The funds can be used to help pay for dental, vision or hearing needs beyond your plan. Why do so many people try to scam seniors? Everything you need to know about flex cards for seniors: what they are, who needs them, and how Medicare can help provide coverage. Few seniors participate in SNAP Only 2 out of 5 eligible adults over age 60 are enrolled in SNAP. Here are three techniques to guard against the majority of Medicare frauds. You should automatically receive your flex debit card in the mail around the beginning of your plan Tap Below To Call & Qualify! 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. Be careful what you click on and always read the fine print. 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. In November 2022 we tried to use the flex medical card for everything we bought, it worked for anything. This is a scam. This is her home that her retirement pays for, which is good because the son has . Diagnostic devices. For example, flex card providers may make claims about their cards that are not outright lies, but are misleading. . Its very important to be careful with where you put your information online. 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. These optional plans combine Medicare and additional services into healthcare packages tailored specifically for seniors. Home / FAQs / Medicare Coverage / What Dental Services Are Covered by Medicare. In 2022, this amount is$3,050 per year. Its also worrisome if theres no information to be found at all. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services. However, the costs for these plans vary and not all seniors are eligible for them. Each insurer sets its own terms for the spending limit and permitted uses. coinsurance, you basically already have a Flex Card for all Medicare-approved expenses. students For more information about the new Medicare card, visit the CMS new card information page. So, how do you avoid these scams? RMP 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. Thus, these cards are not part of the government-run program. Health insurance is complicated enough without worrying about these bad actors, but its something we have to always be vigilant about. Independent agents work with a wide variety of providers, whereas captive agents work with only one or two providers. Many of the flex card offers I found were only available for enrollees in specific states. 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. If so, you can reach them at 877-823-8276. 04:11 PM. Medicare is very complicated as it has many parts. This website is owned and operated by Assurance IQ, LLC. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. The money will be debited immediately from your balance when you use your Flex Card to make a purchase. If it seems to be any fraudulent activities, you should keep away from those sources. The flex card for seniors offer is typically tied to a Medicare Advantage plan. 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. They might not always be giving you the best advice for your situation. In our community, we have a so-called advisor who lurks around our local food banks. Flex cards are debit cards beneficiaries can use to purchase medical equipment and items. Not everyone in a Medicare Advantage plan will qualify for a flex card. Depending on the advertisement, some claimed these cards could be worth $2,880 or more! You can report scams online with the FTC complaint assistant or by a phone call. Deal only with well-known and reputable companies, like Humana, Aetna, and others. First, take the time to verify that the company or agent youre dealing with is legitimate. newly Eligible employees can enroll in FSAFEDS during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. They are offered by private health insurance companies as an additional benefit to their members. For example, money may be added in a lump sum each year or in smaller amounts each quarter. 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. Despite a recent uptick in online advertising, however, these cards remain relatively rare. "It was stated it was set up by the government with Medicare for senior citizens . Tools such as state insurance databases can help you look up agent or company credentials. Assurances license information can be found here. 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. Military funeral and burial honors. Aside from that, there are also many websites that have affiliate relationships with various Medicare Advantage providers, which means they get a commission if they can lure you into a sale. 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. But in some cases, fraud may be more subtle. Posted on Published: November 22, 2021- Last updated: November 17, 2022. And funds can only be used for eligible, qualifying, medically necessaryServices or supplies that are needed for the diagnosis or treatment of your medical condition and meet accepted standards of medical practice. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. The scam consists of a recorded message advising callers that if they are sixty years of age or older they are eligible for the national senior assistance program. Medicare will not call about the new card and they wont ask for your older adults Social Security number. These include: Currently in circulation are advertisements for Medicare-supplied flex cards from various carriers. housing Therefore, if the Flex card has a $500 allowance and the Medicare plan offers, let's say, $1000 in dental benefits, your total benefit for the year would be $1500. Details such as your Doctor visit and facility co-pays, prescription drug costs, and other medical costs. 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. You can also review your plans benefits on Medicare.gov. 3. Call CareConnect USAs secure affordable hearing aid line at 888-258-5305 for assistance today! 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. Even if you do everything right, you could still be a victim of Medicare fraud. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1800MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day/7 days a week to get information on all of your options. The deadline for compliance is September 30 after that, there will be repercussions for noncompliance. Burial reimbursement for a COVID-19 death. Information is available in English and Spanish. Millions of Americans could now be eligible to get their "Flex Card" to spend up to $2,880/year free of charge. Lastly, you can look for help through independent organizations. There might be other supplemental benefits included as well in specific Plans such as a benefit for groceries, utilities, and over the counter medications. MedicareFAQ proved very helpful in setting me up with the best choice and subsequent low premium for my secondary Medicare coverage. These cards are offered only by insurance companies that provide these flexible cards. In reality, a very small percentage of plans available nationwide offer this benefit. Flex cards are currently only available for Medicare Advantage plans, not for any other Medicare program. A Flex card is provided by an insurance company on behalf of a Flex card licensee. Medicare beneficiaries often wonder if their coverage includes dental services. FSAs also require you to pay for covered health services out-of-pocket and then submit a claim for reimbursement, while flex cards let you access money for costs directly. 2022 GovernmentDigest.net | Contact us: contact@governmentdigest.net. However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. . This is true even if they did not work during the Open Season. However, this is entirely not true. The amount of money you can use will depend on your health care insurance provider and plan. We do not offer every plan available in your area. members to the flexible spending program who need a flex debit card. 10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Life Insurance Options. Flex card advertisements are designed to generate interest with bold statements, but can be short on details. - Dwight D. It is common to have many Medicare-related questions running through your mind at any given time. Adding Extra Coverage with Life Insurance Riders, How Investing In Life Insurance Can Benefit Your Financial Strategy, Comparing Health Insurance Plans and Networks, Health Insurance Marketplace: A Guide to Coverage Options and Eligibility, Secondary Health Insurance: A Look at How It Works, Understanding The Differences Of Copays, Deductibles, and Coinsurance, Guide To Finding Health Insurance Coverage Between Jobs, Navigating The Health Insurance Subsidy System: A Beginners Guide, How To Choose the Right Medicare Plan for You, How to Get Better Dental Coverage from Medicare, Comprehensive Insurance: A Complete Overview, Understanding High-Risk Auto Insurance: Who Needs It and Why, Pay Per Mile Car Insurance: A Perfect Fit For Low-Mileage Drivers, What is an Insurance Peril? These ads usually include a multitude of misleading or false claims. debt In this case, your information could be used to commit insurance fraud or as part of an identity theft scam. However, these advertisements were not very clear on what a flex card actually is. Two cards. Medigap plans work in lockstep with Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. These flex cards are only available from a select few private insurance companies and only with a limited number of plans. - Ray C. My agent was outstanding. Eligibility for the Seniors Flex Cards. children . Owned by: Elite Insurance Partners LLC d/b/a MedicareFAQ. To make sure you don't fall victim to this scam . Remember, when you enroll in Original Medicare during the General Enrollment Period, you may be responsible for paying late enrollment fees. This is how the ad and the website appeared at the time of writing: So, many legitimate insurance companies offer this benefit. Additionally, they find cost-saving benefits such as a flex card never truly live up to their promises. Medigap plans supplement Original Medicare. Starting in late summer 2021, advertisements started to appear everywhere offering a senior flex card. You're just a few steps away from seeing your Medicare plan options, Understanding The Different Life Insurance Options. In most cases, the flex card is tied to a flexible spending account (FSA). (The website) may receive paid compensation for clicks or sales produced from the content found on this webpage.. Advertisements that claim or indicate that flex cards are being offered by government agencies are, therefore, patently false. 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. Speak with a licensed insurance agent Mon-Fri, 9AM-8PM EST . The card also has no role in government-funded programs. Only private insurance carriers offer Medicare flex cards, not the federal government. The cards are available in limited geographic areas. The main benefit of a flex card is the additional funds to pay for the expenses of medical supplies. However, they all require beneficiaries to pick up their Medicare Advantage plans. We got $125 each for food and $500 for medical. 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. Humana Honor, a Medicare Advantage plan in its third year and designed with U.S. military veterans in mind, will be available in 47 states, up from 46 in 2021. The Medicare flex card is a prepaid debit card that helps eligible seniors pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs and other approved items. 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. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Were always tempted to cave to our anxiety and offer them our private details. Medicare Flex cards do not replace Original Medicare. 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. Get More Details and Apply Here: Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Though superficially similar to flexible spending accounts (FSAs), Medicare flex cards differ in where they are offered and how they are funded. Because Medicare supplement plans also called Medigap are designed to help offset out-of-pocket costs for services that are not covered by Original Medicare, flex cards are not available with these plans. Youre not alone! If you dont read the fine print carefully, you may end up paying the price in other areas of your plan. For the 2023 plan year, the average is $500. . We were unable to find any Flex Cards that actually had the $2,880 that they originally advertised. Hi Audrey. If you have regular, recurring medical expenses, this quarterly flex card model may work for you, but if your health needs are more variable, upfront funds may be a better choice. 2023 we got one card for both food and medical. While the claim may be objectively true, consider how these funds are dispersed. Heres what you need to know about flex cards and their function. Always be aware of whats going on around you, and dont let anyone approach you without your permission. Going forward, I am happy to know he will be my contact person. Its not just online that you have to be careful, either. Im not saying its the government doing this. Plus, they will not call to ask about bank information. The devil is in the details. Every plan has a different credit card spending cap and list of permitted uses. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. 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. Starting in late summer 2021, advertisements started to appear everywhere offering a senior flex card. If youre a member of a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers flex cards, be sure to read through your contract to understand what you can purchase with it.Some plans will allow you to use Medicare flex cards to pay for anything, while others will only allow you to purchase health-related items, such as: You May Like: Citizen Complaints Against Police Officers. seniors 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. This is a scam. Typically, Medicare Flex Cards have pre-determined . What Is Universal Life Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide. 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. If someone calls you & asks for your personal information, thats a big warning sign. veterans. If they approach you or contact you first, do not engage. The dependent qualifications and use of the funds depend on which FSA you have (caregivers often have . food Cape Coral, FL 33914 For example, theCalifornia Department of Insuranceoffers their Check a License tool that provides both license status and any records of disciplinary action, and many states departments of insurance have similar resources. But more often than not, you might find yourself attracted towards a scam that can take all your money. This website is not connected with the federal government or the federal Medicare program. Senior Care. There are several things that you can do to stay away from these traps. Author: Unadilla, New York. Learn what some Flex Card benefits may offer and whether it's something that may be useful to you. In the case of Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or1-877-7SAFERX. Learn about programs and resources for older adults. * Average time of receiving a Medicare plan recommendation is less than 15 minutes from start of conversation, 2019-2021.