Is the Medicare Flex Card Legitimate?

If you've been watching TV or scrolling social media, you may have noticed advertisements for Medicare flex cards. Many ads claim that a flex card can give you thousands of dollars to spend on whatever you like. 

It sounds too good to be true — and in some cases, it may be.

There are some Medicare Advantage (Part C) insurance plans, however, that offer legitimate Medicare flex cards as an added benefit of the plan. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and offer all the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and potentially include additional benefits Original Medicare doesn't cover.

Medicare flex cards aren't universally available, and some may not have high spending limits. Before you choose a plan with a flex card, it's important to understand exactly what's involved.

Either way, be sure to use a Medicare plan finder to compare Medicare Advantage plans sold where you live, as not all plans offer a flex card. Plans that offer a flex card aren't available in all areas or may be limited to beneficiaries who have a chronic health condition or who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

What Is A Medicare Flex Card For Seniors?

Provided by select private Medicare Advantage plans in some areas, a flex card can act similarly to a debit card that includes an allowance or spending limit.

Plan members can use a flex card to help pay for plan-approved expenses like over-the-counter (OTC) medications, certain insurance copays, or additional services such as dental or hearing care.

Is the Medicare Flex Card Legitimate?

Yes, some Medicare Advantage plans offered by private insurance companies may offer a flex card for plan members. Original Medicare, which is administered by the federal government, does not offer a flex card.

Some Medicare flex card scams may exist, or they may be marketed in ways that are deceptive. There are some Medicare commercials that can make claims that sound too good to be true.

It's always a good idea to compare a number of quotes for different Medicare Advantage plans from a range of the top Medicare Advantage insurance companies in your local area.

You can compare plan benefits, including any flex cards, as well as plan networks and prescription drug coverage to make sure your doctor and medicines are covered by a plan or several plans.

Does The Government Offer A Flex Card For Seniors?

No the government doesn't offer a flex card for seniors.

As mentioned above, Original Medicare doesn't offer a flex card. Only certain private Medicare Advantage plans offer a flex card, rather than being offered by the government.

What Are Senior Flex Card Benefits?

Each insurance company can set its own terms for the spending limit and permitted uses of a flex card, if the plan offers one. Providers may allow you to use a flex card for expenses such as:

• Dental, vision and hearing needs
• Medical equipment, such as dentures and glasses
• Certain medications
• Insurance copays
• Over the counter products such as incontinence supplies or cold medicine

Flex cards are only available with certain plans; they may not be available in every state or county. Spending limits can vary based on your plan.

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Are Flex Cards Available With Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?

Flex cards do not come with Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans.

Medigap plans are designed to help you manage costs that aren't covered by Original Medicare, including copays and deductibles.

Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans are two different things, and you can't have each type of coverage.

How Does a Medicare Flex Card Work?

If your private Medicare Advantage plan offers a flex card, the company will mail it to you once the plan documents are complete. Then, you can use it like a regular debit card to pay for covered expenses.

Some flex cards are tied to a flexible spending account, but this is not always the case.

A flex card might allow you to spend up to a specific limit. Once you hit that limit, you can't use the card again until the start of the next benefit quarter, year or other period of time. Unused funds may not roll over to the next year, so you should check your benefits statement for details.

How Do You Qualify for a Medicare Flex Card?

To start, look for private insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans in your area. Then, check out the available plans to see if they offer flex cards as a benefit.

You can apply for the plan of your choice when you have a qualifying Medicare enrollment period.

Make sure to read the fine print on the Medicare Advantage quote to learn more about any costs that may be involved with the flex card.

Medicare Flex Card Scams

To avoid Medicare flex cards that are not legitimate, look out for these red flags:

• Ads that say flex cards are universally available to Medicare participants
  Original Medicare does not issue flex cards, and they aren't available to everyone.
  
  
• People that contact you first, without your permission
  Trustworthy insurance companies typically don't contact you until you reach out first.
  
  
• Middlemen who get paid to refer you to insurance companies
  Never give personal information to someone who does not represent the insurance company itself.

One way to avoid Medicare flex card scams is to go directly to the insurance company. If you're not sure how to proceed, the nearest Area Agency on Aging may be able to help.

Helpadvisor.com is owned and operated by Tranzact, the parent company of TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, which is the owner/operator of MedicareAdvantage.com and other websites mentioned on HelpAdvisor and which has a financial relationship with some of the carriers listed on HelpAdvisor.