The end of this Month..
What extra benefits would you add to a Medicare Advantage plan?
- Thread starter Dudewho
- Start date
Ditto...So far it has worked for gas purchase..I will see if it will cover my electric bill near the end of the month..
Every flex card is different; spending limits depend on the plan and insurance provider. However, most insurance companies don't offer near $2,800.
- Some WellCare Medicare Advantage plans may offer a Visa flex card with a spending limit of $200 – $2,000.
- Some Anthem Medicare Advantage plans may feature Medicare flex cards.
- Some Aetna Medicare Advantage plans may offer over-the-counter (OTC) coverage or a flex card as extra benefits.
- Certain Humana Medicare Advantage plans may come with the Humana Flex Card, which has a set spending limit.
As of right now, I paid my $314 Electric bill online...It states it went through, I will see when their office opens later..Did another $20 gas purchase and $33 Pharmacy...
In 2022 mom and I looked into Part C.
Based upon what we learned about how these Advantage Plans work and what they did not come with we-
for at least this coming new year decided to stick with our original Medicare.
One of the things that we were looking for was for transportation service back and forth to medical appointments.
In my area that one thing unavailable.
The second thing is,that not all plans will include all of our doctors.
We prefer to choose who we use and what services to use.
Based upon what we learned about how these Advantage Plans work and what they did not come with we-
for at least this coming new year decided to stick with our original Medicare.
One of the things that we were looking for was for transportation service back and forth to medical appointments.
In my area that one thing unavailable.
The second thing is,that not all plans will include all of our doctors.
We prefer to choose who we use and what services to use.
Thank you for providing that link.
I did glance through some of the information.
We have Original Medicare and our Blue Cross Supplment plan.
https://www.medicarefaq.com/blog/medicare-flex-card/
Quoted Excerpt:
Flex cards are only available with Medicare Advantage plans.
I did glance through some of the information.
We have Original Medicare and our Blue Cross Supplment plan.
https://www.medicarefaq.com/blog/medicare-flex-card/
Quoted Excerpt:
Flex cards are only available with Medicare Advantage plans.
RandomName
Member
I have a Medicare Advnatage plan through Blue Cross. I called up one day about my OTC medical benefits and they told me I also have a grocery benefit, of $60 per quarter, which I did not know about.
I had read somewhere that you could get grocery benefits if you had certain qualifying conditions, but I never applied for the grocery benefit. They just told me I had it, and I had to use it by 3/31/2023, at which time it would renew for another $60 on April 1.
I happily used it all up by 3/31. Then in April when I tried to use it again, it would not work for groceries. I called them up and they said I do qualify for grocery bens, and they would look into it, no estimated time for a solution.
My question is "Do you have to apply for grocery bens, and have a certain condition, or low income, or do they just give it to you?"
I feel guilty using it if I don't qualify. But the rep never said anything about qualifying. They just said I have the grocery bens.
Thanks
I had read somewhere that you could get grocery benefits if you had certain qualifying conditions, but I never applied for the grocery benefit. They just told me I had it, and I had to use it by 3/31/2023, at which time it would renew for another $60 on April 1.
I happily used it all up by 3/31. Then in April when I tried to use it again, it would not work for groceries. I called them up and they said I do qualify for grocery bens, and they would look into it, no estimated time for a solution.
My question is "Do you have to apply for grocery bens, and have a certain condition, or low income, or do they just give it to you?"
I feel guilty using it if I don't qualify. But the rep never said anything about qualifying. They just said I have the grocery bens.
Thanks
Happyflowerlady
Vagabond Flowerchild
- Location
- Northern Alabama
We just went for our annual visit with our medicare insurance agent and went over the plans available for next year for us. We have both had Humana for the last few years, but we just switched over to a company called Devoted.
Devoted has just moved into Alabama, but is very active in several other states, and has a 5-STAR ratIng. Apparently, they are treating both the doctors and the patients very well, and their benefits for Advantage plans are definitely beating all of the other companies we have here locally.
We still have all of the benefits for eye exams/glasses, dental ($7000), Sliver Sneakers fitness membership, and everything that we had with Humana.
However, we also now have more of the flex-card food benefits, plus $65 for OTC allowance, up to $150 annually for fitness devices, and a free medical alert device (we have Apple Watch , so do not need this ) which I think would be a benefit for seniors who do not have a fitness watch .
Devoted has just moved into Alabama, but is very active in several other states, and has a 5-STAR ratIng. Apparently, they are treating both the doctors and the patients very well, and their benefits for Advantage plans are definitely beating all of the other companies we have here locally.
We still have all of the benefits for eye exams/glasses, dental ($7000), Sliver Sneakers fitness membership, and everything that we had with Humana.
However, we also now have more of the flex-card food benefits, plus $65 for OTC allowance, up to $150 annually for fitness devices, and a free medical alert device (we have Apple Watch , so do not need this ) which I think would be a benefit for seniors who do not have a fitness watch .
RandomName
Member
What companies are offering the debit cards for utilities, groceries, etc in 2024?
I don't see any debit cards mentioned when I search Medicare Advantage plans on medicare.gov.
Is there an asset test? Income limit? Do you have to be on Medicaid as well as Medicare to qualify for all the freebies ? Thanks
I don't see any debit cards mentioned when I search Medicare Advantage plans on medicare.gov.
Is there an asset test? Income limit? Do you have to be on Medicaid as well as Medicare to qualify for all the freebies ? Thanks
Happyflowerlady
Vagabond Flowerchild
- Location
- Northern Alabama
I think that each company decides what their extra benefits will be, and who qualifies, @RandomName . From what I have read, the plans all have to provide the basic levels of coverage that regular medicare provides, but then they are able to add whatever extra benefits they want to their company’s plans.
When you look at the information about medicare plans that we are all being bombarded with, you can see a wide variety of different benefits offered, plus income levels DO make a difference, and some plans are SNP (special needs plans) that are specifically for people who also have medicaid or are low income, or a specific health issue that needs special care.
I still recommend finding an independent health insurance agent that can offer plans from all companies, and ask them to help you find the plan that best meets your needs.
We have had the same agent for almost 10 years now (ever since my husband turned 65 and was qualified for medicare), and each year he does a review with us of the different companies and what the plan benefits are, as well as the reputation of the company.
This year, he recommended Devoted Insurance, which is a 5-star company that just started in our state, and is expanding their coverage into several new states this year.
I have been researching the company, and I am amazed at how much I like what I have been reading !
This company was started by two brothers, Todd and Ed Parks, who have been involved with other insurance companies, and wanted to make a better medicare plan for seniors.
Their motto (which they call The Prime Directive) is to treat each person like they were a beloved family member, like they would want for their own mother or father, and they have built the company around this idea.
Here is a short video explaining how this works for Devoted.
When you look at the information about medicare plans that we are all being bombarded with, you can see a wide variety of different benefits offered, plus income levels DO make a difference, and some plans are SNP (special needs plans) that are specifically for people who also have medicaid or are low income, or a specific health issue that needs special care.
I still recommend finding an independent health insurance agent that can offer plans from all companies, and ask them to help you find the plan that best meets your needs.
We have had the same agent for almost 10 years now (ever since my husband turned 65 and was qualified for medicare), and each year he does a review with us of the different companies and what the plan benefits are, as well as the reputation of the company.
This year, he recommended Devoted Insurance, which is a 5-star company that just started in our state, and is expanding their coverage into several new states this year.
I have been researching the company, and I am amazed at how much I like what I have been reading !
This company was started by two brothers, Todd and Ed Parks, who have been involved with other insurance companies, and wanted to make a better medicare plan for seniors.
Their motto (which they call The Prime Directive) is to treat each person like they were a beloved family member, like they would want for their own mother or father, and they have built the company around this idea.
Here is a short video explaining how this works for Devoted.
Knight
Well-known Member
For us Advantage works.
1. moved to where we live now so knowing a doctor personally for years -- no way that would happen. But fortunately the doctor we have is terrific.
2. Specialists, gym membership, eye care, dental, hearing tests, even podiatry all part of our coverage at zero cost.
3. The few meds we need are generic @ zero cost thru OptumRx mail service that contacts our doctor for refills ahead of us running out.
4. Burial expense not needed we pre paid for cremation, services/viewing, plot long ago.
5. I do have one med that has a $131.00 copay. But that I can claim on my HSA. For those not familiar with HSA the is the acronym for Health Savings Account.
So our out of pocket expense for expense is Zero. And our experience with Advantage is comparable to my previous employer that paid the premium for Point of Service Blue Cross insurance.
Except for a $90.00 copay if use of emergency room is needed.
No way for me to know what other states or Advantage plans offer so will continue to advise when looking for best plan do your research. I asked about plan g. I intend to post this on the other thread about Medicare Plan G
Plan G is a medicare supplement plan. Meaning that it pays 100% of Hospital part A services and 100% of Hospital Part B services after a $240 medical deductible in 2024. At your age of 82, the monthly premium would be well over $200/mo plus we would need to add a separate prescription plan as Plan G does not help with prescriptions. Nor does it cover extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, etc. Does that help answer your question?
1. moved to where we live now so knowing a doctor personally for years -- no way that would happen. But fortunately the doctor we have is terrific.
2. Specialists, gym membership, eye care, dental, hearing tests, even podiatry all part of our coverage at zero cost.
3. The few meds we need are generic @ zero cost thru OptumRx mail service that contacts our doctor for refills ahead of us running out.
4. Burial expense not needed we pre paid for cremation, services/viewing, plot long ago.
5. I do have one med that has a $131.00 copay. But that I can claim on my HSA. For those not familiar with HSA the is the acronym for Health Savings Account.
So our out of pocket expense for expense is Zero. And our experience with Advantage is comparable to my previous employer that paid the premium for Point of Service Blue Cross insurance.
Except for a $90.00 copay if use of emergency room is needed.
No way for me to know what other states or Advantage plans offer so will continue to advise when looking for best plan do your research. I asked about plan g. I intend to post this on the other thread about Medicare Plan G
Plan G is a medicare supplement plan. Meaning that it pays 100% of Hospital part A services and 100% of Hospital Part B services after a $240 medical deductible in 2024. At your age of 82, the monthly premium would be well over $200/mo plus we would need to add a separate prescription plan as Plan G does not help with prescriptions. Nor does it cover extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, etc. Does that help answer your question?