is the medicare flex card legitimate

OnMedicare.gov, you can also look up the advantages of your plan. MyBenefitsKeeper Reviews and Health Insurance Innovations Scam Complaints, The Hospital Lien Scam Makes You Pay Four Times More For Your Medical Bill After A Personal Injury Claim, Buy Tramadol Online: Fake Pills And Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms Trick, Domain age, Alexa rank, HTTPS valid, Blacklisting, SSL certificates, Source code, Location, IP address, WOT Trustworthiness, Spam reports, Advanced technology, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, Contact options, AI Crypto Scams: How To Protect Your Investments From Fraud, Amouranth And The Scam Attached To Her Name, 8 Ways To Avoid Digital File Conversion Scams, The Amazon Job Scam And The Fake Facebook Ads, How To Remove Your Personal Information From The Internet, How To Tell If Someone Is Scamming You Online. The caller tries to calm you down by saying that theyre not asking for your Social Security card or bank account numbers. Remember, your Medicare number is extremely valuable to criminals. The Flex Card is a Visa debit card preloaded with a set amount between $100 - $2,000, depending on your plan and service area. While advertising for these cards may make it seem like youre being given free money to spend on healthcare expenses, this is not exactly true. document.write(' '); Many of these scam calls start off as robocalls or text message scams, meaning that scammers can target thousands of people every single day., Related: The 7 Latest Amazon Scam Calls (and How To Avoid Them) . In this article, we intend to set the record straight about flex cards so that seniors who are skeptical or confused about flex cards will be aware of the who, when, where, and how much. The Medicare Flex Card is a supplemental card that aims to provide Medicare beneficiaries with more flexibility in managing their healthcare expenses. else { //English or undefined language Make sure to always double-check the integrity of applications and websites to make sure you are not giving personal information to scammers. Scammers will claim that the services are free, when really theyre using your information to steal from Medicare. document.write('FCC '); 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. The PayFlex MasterCard is not a replacement for dental or vision benefits. For example, scammers can find your healthcare information on the Dark Web after a data breach. In April, Medicare began sending its members new cards with unique eleven-digit account numbers, ending the previous reliance on SSA numbers. The Flex card basically acts as a debit card linked to a flexible spending account. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you unfortunately lose or destroy your Medicare flex card, you can seek a replacement through your personal Social Security account. This card, however, must be linked to a Medicare Advantage Plan, which is a paid service. Thats a lot less than the original asking price of $2,880. Some of the common tactics used by scammers include: The best way to protect yourself from these types of scams is to be wary of any unsolicited offers for Flex cards and to do your research to make sure that any card you sign up for is legitimate. Medicare Food Allowance and Grocery Benefits | Medigap.com It provides eligible beneficiaries with grocery funds issued through prepaid debit cards - commonly called flex cards - for the purchase of healthy food, produce, over-the-counter medicine and . Give us a call at (844) 279-0508 (TTY: 711) to speak with a licensed representative or an ApexAssistant. Security disabity. 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. Why Seniors Should Be Careful About Medicare Scams? ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, Medicare flex card is legitimate. document.write('File a Complaint with the FCC'); Some of the marketing material out there sells the Flex card Medicare program as much more than it actually offers. For example, 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. // Once the account is set up, the flex card will be issued by the insurance company and sent to the senior. There is no fee for the new card; it will be mailed to you automatically as long as your address is up to date. A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you if youve called and left a message (or received a letter informing you that someone will call you). Fact Check-Social Security 'spending card' provided by - Reuters document.write('Presente una Queja ante la FCC'); It is also known as the Free Skin Cancer Screening Scam. To take advantage of this benefit, you must reside in an area where at least one participating plan is available and enroll during a qualifying Medicare enrollment period. The average beneficiary gets about $500 each month and can only use it for approved items related to their medical needs. In April, Medicare began sending its members new cards with unique eleven-digit account numbers, ending the previous reliance on SSA numbers. They might also pressure you to enroll in a fake or misrepresented plan, or convince you to send them money to pay for services. However, it might not be exactly what you see in the ads. Eligible Medicare beneficiariescan use this to pay for their medical expenses. But $2800 Flex card for seniors will be considered a health . Help us send the best of Considerable to you. Free Medicare Advantage Plans? As a final security measure, consider signing up for identity theft protection. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. But, many Medicare Advantage health plans do offer flex cards. The card can be used at approved merchants and healthcare providers. The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program is a service offered by many states to help people navigate the complicated benefits. In the news: When a senior citizen from Pennsylvania received a supposed call from Medicare, the prospective victims suspicions paid off [*]. Beware New Medicare Card Scams - Federal Communications Commission Again, my recommendation to you is to speak with a Medicare broker (the service does not cost you anything) for professional and educated information about all of your options. Para espanol, View all post by Esther C. Kane, C.D.S. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); One of the big questions on the minds of Medicare shoppers during the open enrollment period is, "How can I save money?" At present, he wants to contribute to the Senior Care Industry and plans to uplift senior care facilities among seniors and caregivers. // Column 3 Header Medicare scam calls occur when criminals call you pretending to be from Medicare or a legitimate healthcare insurance provider. Again, this option is not offered by original Medicare, its only offered by Medicare Advantage plans which are provided through private companies. Stay informed and stay protected. Watch out for the new. No, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, who may or may not offer flex cards as a supplemental benefit. if (languages === "Spanish") { I know that Kaiser Permanentes Senior Advantage Plan does not use a flex card, they instead use their HSA account. Although the senior flex card program is legitimate, we take issue with the way it is presented in some television advertisements. Seniors who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage should check with their plan to see if a flex card is available. The information on this website is available AS IS, subject to our Disclaimer and Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy. Warn your elders about this fraud perpetrated via phone calls. But Medicare Advantage isnt affiliated with the federal government theyre just using the name to try and lure victims with a false sense of security., Related: 12 Awful Seniors Scams (How to Avoid Elder Fraud) , Medicare scam callers can be persuasive, threatening, and aggressive. Private health insurance plans: are they worth it? Flex cards are debit cards that have usage in purchasing medical supplies and equipment. Some of the marketing material out there sells the Flex card Medicare program as much more than it actually offers. You may cancel your membership online and request a refund within 60 days of your initial purchase date of an eligible Aura membership purchase by calling us at 1-855-712-0021. All Rights Reserved, Medicare Flex Cards for Seniors: Complete Guide, Find independent living facilities near you, 3 Ways to Protect Yourself from Medicare Scams. Its marketed to senior citizens as a flexible spending account thats marketed to people who are on a Medicare plan, and its supposed to help them save money on their medical and out-of-pocket expenses. The agent who helped you join might also call you. Medicare doesnt offer special treatment for people who pay extra. You may be thinking these are some new cards full of Medicare benefits for you. Almost all Medicare Advantage plans provide some coverage for dental , hearing and vision care, while some plans use flex cards to cover copayments or certain eligible expenses with an annual dollar limit, such as $225 for eyeglasses and contact lenses. We've received complaints from people worrying about a potential MyBenefitsKeeper scam. // It can be as low as $200 or as high as $2000. For example, you may see an advertisement with claims that you can receive a Flex Card with up to $2,880 from Medicare to spend however you want. What Is Independent Living and How Much Does It Cost? And also metion where you found information about free 2021 Flex card for seniors over 65 years. Hypertension. This is essential for disputing fraudulent charges that scammers could make in your name., If youve given personal information to a scammer, you need to treat it as if your identity has been stolen., Contact the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and file an official identity theft report. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the 2800 Flex card for seniors? Venmo, Cash App and PayPal: Can you really trust your payment app? Employees who are eligible can enroll outside of Open Season within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), such as marriage or birth. Discover whether the widely advertised Medicare flex card is legitimate. Its important to know this difference. Can You Block Them? Aura constantly monitors your SSN, bank accounts, and other sensitive information for signs of fraud. Depression. Read More. Here are some examples of Medicare fraud. Lately, there have been many misleading advertisements about Medicare benefits that may or may not be available. So even though they arent technically fraudsters, some of them dont mind being deceitful in their marketing. However, not all health insurers that offer Medicare Advantage plans to participate in this program, as it is only offered by a small percentage of plans available nationwide. He excels in creating content across different industries. If a caller asks you to press a number on your keypad to stop their calls, dont do it. The cards in the advertising are distributed by private Medicare Advantage programs, not by Original Medicare. Beware New Medicare Card Scams. In these scam calls, fraudsters claim that youre eligible for a special vaccine or can be sent home testing kits if you provide your Medicare number and other personal information first. When you call, be sure to have your Medicare number ready, as well as any details regarding the scam call., Next, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov to file an official identity theft report. You can visit theFSAFEDS websiteor call 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337) or 1-800-952-0450 to enroll in the program. When I explained to them that Medicare does not provide a flex card, the majority of them were surprised. Usually around the open enrollment period for Medicare. Everything to know about Medicare flex cards for seniors - WRAL document.write('FCCFCC'); We have an extensive list below that will help you educate yourself about the immense Medicare fraud pool. Do This Now. Well, Ive got answers. A flexible spending account, or flex card, is a type of flexible spending account that reimburses medical expenses. ", Scroll through 2022 ApexHealth benefit highlights to discover what we mean when we say, "Welcome to a new you kind of Medicare.". Mon Fri 8:00 am 6:00 pmSat available upon request, #kt-layout-id_9602b8-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_9602b8-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_9602b8-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:25px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}#kt-layout-id_9602b8-19 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_9602b8-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#kt-layout-id_9602b8-19 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}, Copyright 2022 Medicare Solutions Teama division of LJM Insurance Agency Ltd. The specific products that can be purchased with a flex card may vary depending on the health plan and the type of flexible spending account associated with the card. } In one example, an Ohio man answered a call on his cell phone from a woman claiming to be from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. For example, if you are using Anthem, you can use your card for supplemental benefits such as: Remember, Anthems Medicare Advantage plan covers these items. Do not interact if they approach you or contact you first. Sorry, it looks like you were previously unsubscribed. There is no government flex card for seniors on Medicare but some people with certain private insurance plans will get a monthly allotment to help cover the costs of medical items and equipment. Flex cards are only available through specific Medicare Advantage plans offered by certain private insurance carriers. If you get an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, its a scam. They may be compensated as a marketing affiliate of Aura, but their ratings are all their own. Then, contact your local law enforcement and, You should also contact your bank to inform them of the potential fraud. Act quickly to minimize the damage they can do. This site is owned and operated by SeniorSafetyAdvice.com. The $2,880 flex cards for seniors are actually a health insurance marketing strategy aimed to entice seniors to switch to specific Medicare Advantage plans. In recent weeks, the FCC has been receiving complaints about scammers calling pretending to be Medicare representatives, often using caller ID spoofing to mask their identity. In many cases, Medicare Advantage plans come with high maximum out-of-pocket costs, prompting insurers to offer extra benefits to make these policies more appealing to consumers. } However, be aware of, People have different taste and we respect that. else if (languages === "Korean") { If you have any questions about Medicare flex cards or whats new for ApexHealth in 2023, feel free to reach out to Concierge Services. Your individual results may vary. Youll receive an alert about any suspicious activity and get 24/7 help from our team of fraud resolution specialists. Flex Cards are for medical bills that meet certain criteria. What kind of scams are we talking about? They often try to steal peoples personal information or sell them bogus health insurance plans by collecting their personal and financial information. // End Column 1 Header We are not a substitution for any advice from a licensed professional. No content from this website is allowed to be re-posted or copied in any form without permission from the contents author. But its best to stay calm and not fall into the trap. Your email address will not be published. } Heres how to reduce the number of spam and scam calls you receive: When it comes to Medicare scam calls, remember this one fact, first and foremost: Medicare doesnt call you; you call them. Deciphering what is a scam and what is legitimate can take some investigation. [CDATA[// >