As a Medicare beneficiary, you may have heard of the Medicare Flex cards for seniors over 65. The commercials and ads offering those cards get especially overbearing during the Annual Enrollment Period. But what are they? Is it some kind of scam or are they legitimate?

Well, the good news is that flex cards are legitimate, only they are not distributed by Original Medicare and have nothing to with a federal Medicare program. They are offered by some private Medicare Advantage plans as part of their benefits package.

What is a Flex Card for seniors on Medicare and how does it work? 

The Flex cards are a specific type of cards only available for members of specific Medicare Advantage plans. Flex cards basically act as prepaid debit cards linked to a flexible spending account (thus the name “flex cards”). These are typically used for making qualifying purchases, such as necessary medical items and equipment. You cannot withdraw cash from this card or use the money on the card for your private needs.     

There are certain spending limits for Medicare Flex cards set by the plan and insurance carrier. The average beneficiary gets about $500 each month and can only use it for approved items related to their medical needs.

What benefits can a Flex Card include?

The most popular benefits offered by Medicare Flex cards are:

• Groceries;
• Personal hygiene and wellness items;
• Over-the-counter items (vitamins etc);
• Fitness supplies;
• Bathroom safety devices;
• Dental or hearing services;

In 2024, some plans even offer unexpected things like:

• Pet care and pet supplies; 
• Rent or mortgage payments;
• Utilities (gas, water, electricity);
• Transportation (taxis, public transportation);
• Pest control;

Some Medicare Advantage plans also have reward programs where you can get $100-$200 on your Flex card for participating in healthy reward activities or completing preventative health screenings.

The funds on a Flex card can be used only in in-network retailers. Not every pharmacy or grocery store will accept a Flex card, therefore it is important to double-check the details of your Medicare Advantage plan and find the list of those retailers.   

Is the Medicare Flex Card legitimate? 

Sometimes things seem too good to be true and turn out to be a scam. Luckily, the Medicare Flex card program is not a scam; it is legitimate although limited in its use on plans and carriers. This means it is perfectly safe to provide your information to a Medicare Flex card application so long as it is coming from a secure source like directly from your Medicare Advantage provider. 

So what is the truth about Medicare Flex Cards? Unveiling myths and misconceptions

While the Medicare Flex Cards are actually pretty legit, many of the advertisements out there are very misleading about what you actually get. Some of the marketing material out there sells the Flex Card Medicare program as much more than it actually offers.

• Some advertisements claim you can get up to $3,000 each month on your Medicare Flex card for food, clothing, and more while the actual average is $500 monthly to spend exclusively on approved medical items.  
• Some of the information surrounding senior Medicare flex card benefits makes it seem as though these cards are distributed by the government. However, it is important to remember that Flex Cards are only available through specific Medicare Advantage plans offered by certain private insurance carriers. There is no government Flex Card for seniors on Medicare.  
• If you decide you like the idea of a Flex Card and are thinking of switching to a plan that does offer this benefit, make sure to double or triple check that you are actually eligible for it. Often telemarketers are trying to enroll you in a plan without making sure that you actually qualify for the Flex Card.

Medicare Flex Card scams do exist – here’s how not to fall for one

While Medicare Flex cards are legitimate, many scammers use them as bait to deceive people into giving out their personal information. You may get calls or see ads claiming that Medicare gives out free Flex Cards and that you are eligible for the program. Scammers get especially active around the Medicare Enrollment Period. They may ask you to fill out an application form or ask you for your personal details like your Social Security number, Medicare ID, or bank information over the phone. They will later use this data for various fraudulent activities.

How to tell a legitimate Medicare Flex Card program from Medicare Flex Card scams

• If a caller claims to be a representative of Medicare or CMS, it’s a scam. First of all, Original Medicare has nothing to do with a program and does not issue Flex Cards – it’s only certain Medicare Advantage plans that offer them to their members. Secondly, Medicare will never call you first unless you requested a callback. Any unsolicited calls from people claiming to be from Medicare are most possibly scams. The only legit phone call you may get is from a representative of a Medicare Advantage plan you are already a part of. You may also receive phone calls from telemarketers trying to sell you a specific Medicare Advantage plan they are tasked with selling. In this case, it is vital to investigate their offer thoroughly, compare your coverage, and understand what you will gain or lose by switching plans.
• There is no such thing as free Medicare Flex Cards. If someone is calling you trying to convince you you can participate in a program for free and you just need to fill out a form or share some of your personal details, it’s a scam. In order to get a legitimate Flex Card, you’d need to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers it as a part of its benefits package and pay all the associated costs. Remember, there’s no such thing as free money!
• You cannot use the money on a Flex card for any purchases you want. If someone claims otherwise, it’s most likely a scam. There’s actually a very specific list of things that a legitimate Flex Card covers like certain drugs, groceries, and other qualified medical expenses.
• Not everyone is eligible for flex cards. There are specific conditions you should meet to qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan that offers them as a benefit. If you are told they are universally available for every single Medicare beneficiary, beware of a scam.

Do I qualify for the Medicare Flex Card for seniors? 

Most Medicare plans do not include Flex card benefits but there are a small number of Medicare Advantage Plans that offer the service. Luckily, these types of plans don’t typically require underwriting health questions to enroll which means you won’t be denied for pre-existing conditions. However, it may be hard to find a plan that specifically offers a Flex card benefit and qualify for it. The general eligibility rules are as follows:

• You are eligible for Medicare in general. You can start enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans as soon as three months before your 65th birthday. If you are enrolled in Part A or Part B Medicare coverage, you can enroll in Medicare Advantage plans during Open Enrollment or Special Enrollment.
• You live in a plan’s service area. The plans that offer flex cards may be available only in specific locations.
• Sometimes the plans have additional requirements like a specific health status (like chronic illnesses) or low income – make sure to double-check and learn whether you qualify based on these requirements.

How to get a flex card for seniors?

If having the Flex card is important to you and a priority in your healthcare coverage plan, make sure to speak directly with insurance carriers to find a plan that offers this in your area.  

Conclusion 

The Medicare Flex card is a program offered for specific plans from certain private insurance carriers that allow beneficiaries to purchase medically required equipment and items. Beneficiaries receive about $500 each month. While the program is great for helping cover the costs of medical items and equipment, there are many advertisements with misleading information about the Medicare Flex card and what it offers. In general, most Medicare plans do not offer the Flex card but there is a small number that do. Make sure to always double-check the integrity of applications and websites to make sure you are not giving personal information to scammers. It’s important to talk specifically with your insurance provider to make sure you are getting the right information directly from the source.

Article updated on October 31, 2023.