What seniors should know about Medicare flex cards

Medicare flex cards (sometimes called Medicare spending cards) can help pay for specific expenses for popular benefits that are not covered under Original Medicare. If you’re interested in enrolling in a plan that offers this perk, you might have some questions. Where can you get one? And how do they work?

Although they’re called Medicare flex cards, this benefit is not available through Original Medicare. Only Medicare Advantage plans (also known as Part C plans) offer them.

Want to find out if a Medicare flex card will work for you? Let’s go through the basics, including how a Medicare flex card works, what benefits they can offer and how to get one.

How Medicare Advantage flex cards work

A Medicare flex card is a preloaded debit card you can use for certain health- and wellness-related expenses that your plan may not cover outright. These expenses can include over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and supplies, hearing, dental and vision services, and more.

The amount of money on your flex card is determined by your Medicare Advantage plan. Some flex cards may also only be available to certain members, like if you have special needs or a chronic illness or if you’re dual-eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Each plan sets its own flex card allowance amount and spending rules. Plans may prepay your card annually or in installments. Once loaded, you may only be able to use your card with participating pharmacies, vendors and care providers.

Medicare Advantage flex card benefits for seniors

Flex cards offer many benefits, and they make accessing funds to pay for care simple and easy. Some plans even allow members to use their card to pay their plan’s copays. That extra help can make a big difference.

Who qualifies for a Medicare Advantage flex card?

To get a Medicare flex card, you must be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers a flex card as a benefit. To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, you must qualify for Original Medicare Parts A and B.

This means you must be 65+ years of age or have a qualifying disability. Those with a qualifying disability must have received at least 24 months of Social Security or have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), an allotted amount of time that’s triggered once you turn 65. If you miss that period, you may also be eligible to enroll in Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), or during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you experience a qualifying life event.

And remember – you can’t buy a flex spending card independently of a Medicare Advantage plan. It’s not an add-on or a specific perk you can sign up for and purchase by itself. Knowing this can help you avoid common Medicare flex card scams.

Does everyone on a Medicare Advantage plan get a flex card?

No, this benefit is offered by specific Medicare Advantage plans. If you’re interested in a flex card, you must investigate privately offered Medicare Advantage plans that offer them.

What you can buy with a Medicare Advantage flex card

A Medicare flex card can be used on a lot of different benefits, depending on what your plan allows. In general, your allowance can go toward medical necessities, as well as services or products that can support your well-being. These often include:

• Dental, hearing and vision services and devices
• Over-the-counter non-prescription medicines and health items, like vitamins and toothpaste
• Assistive devices, like grab bars, handrails and mobility ramps
• Groceries and meal delivery
• Transportation expenses
• Fitness needs, like gym memberships and exercise equipment

Before trying to make a purchase, see if your plan has limitations on where you can use it, like participating pharmacies or vendors.

How to apply for a flex card

To get a flex card, you must enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that’s currently offering one as a benefit. You can’t enroll in a flex card independently. Keep an eye out for this benefit while shopping around for plans.

Here are some important questions to ask when considering a plan that offers a flex card:

• How much money is on this Medicare flex card?
• Is it loaded annually or in installments?
• Which benefits can you use this card towards?
• If you don’t spend your flex card’s entire balance, do those funds roll over to next year?