Some Medicare Advantage plans offer a flex card benefit. A flex card is a prepaid debit card that you can use for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often offer additional benefits that are not covered under Original Medicare (parts A and B). Generally, these include vision, dental, and hearing.

Another benefit that Medicare Advantage plans may offer is a flex card to help pay for certain expenses.

Flex cards are a benefit offered only by private insurance companies that provide Medicare Advantage plans. The federal government does not offer flex cards.

Medicare Advantage plans can offer beneficiaries the benefit of a prepaid debit card or flex card that they can use for daily expenses and healthcare.

Medicare Advantage is the only type of Medicare plan that offers this benefit, as these plans are provided through private insurance companies.

Beneficiaries often receive between $250 and $1,000 on their flex card, depending on their plan and how often they receive the money. Insurance companies may give beneficiaries money either:

  • monthly
  • every 3 months
  • yearly, with 1 year’s worth upfront)

Flex cards work similarly to debit cards. This means you may have to set up a PIN and register the card online in order to keep track of your balance.

Anyone who has a Medicare Advantage plan may be eligible for a flex card. However, not all Medicare Advantage plans offer this benefit.

Even if a plan does offer this benefit, it may have restrictions. This may include flex cards being available only in certain states or to people with certain chronic conditions.

You can check with your insurance provider to find out if you are eligible for a flex card and for more information on plan benefits.

Social Security scams are a common occurrence. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), scammers may attempt to contact you in various ways, including:

  • writing
  • calling
  • texting
  • messaging on social media

AI phone scams

The California Health Advocates warns against a new scam using artificial intelligence (AI) phone calls. These phone calls state that according to new Medicare laws, you may be eligible for a flex card, a reduction in medical bills, and $180 cash back each month.

Individuals have reported receiving multiple phone calls from different numbers several times per day.

The California Health Advocates notes that if you receive one of these phone calls, you should hang up immediately. They also warn that this is only one of the various types of phone scams currently occurring.

How to be scam aware

Basic signs of a scam

It is important to be able to recognize the signs of a scam in order to protect yourself and those around you. Although there are a variety of different scams, they all typically work in the same way:

  • The scammers pretend to be from a well-known organization or agency to gain your trust.
  • The scammers tell you there is either a prize or a problem.
  • The scammers put pressure on you to act immediately.
  • The scammers tell you that you have to pay in a specific way or have to give them certain information.

Known tactics scammers use

It helps to be aware of certain red flags when it comes to Social Security and Medicare scams. Remember that the SSA will never:

  • threaten you with legal action or arrest if you don’t pay immediately
  • claim to need personal information or payment in order for you to receive a benefit increase
  • suspend your Social Security number
  • pressure you to take immediate action
  • offer to move money to a “protected” bank account
  • demand secrecy
  • direct message you on social media
  • threaten to seize your bank account

If you believe that you or someone you know may have been affected by a Social Security scam, you can report it to the SSA.

Flex cards may help cover the expenses for various items and services. Some companies may earmark flex cards for specific benefits, like vision.

Other things a flex card may help cover include:

  • groceries
  • toiletries
  • vitamins
  • fitness classes
  • assistive devices, such as shower chairs or hearing aids
  • transportation to medical appointments
  • utilities

You should check with your Medicare Advantage plan provider about what your flex card can be used for and where you can use it.

You can sign up through your insurance provider if your plan offers a flex card. You can find more information by contacting your insurer.

You can also find more information on flex cards and other Medicare benefits through your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Flex cards are prepaid debit cards provided by private insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans. They are not offered by the federal government.

Not all Medicare Advantage plans will offer these cards. You should check a plan’s benefits when choosing the right one for you.

Flex cards can be used to help pay for medical expenses and other daily expenses like groceries or transportation to medical appointments. You can check with your Medicare Advantage provider to know what you can use your flex card for and where you can use it.