Taking a deeper look at Medicare Flex Cards
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer “flex cards,” which are prepaid debit cards to help cover extra health-related expenses. These expenses can be things like over-the-counter medication, dental or vision co-pays, and sometimes, a grocery allowance for healthy foods. But there are currently scams involving these flex cards, and it’s important to be aware of how they work to protect yourself.
HOW THE SCAM WORKS: Individuals pretending to be from Medicare call beneficiaries or advertise online. They claim that Medicare is offering free flex cards with money to spend on food and other items. They may ask you to provide personal information such as your Medicare number, Social Security number, or even your credit card or banking details. If you provide your information, it could lead to identity theft or financial loss. These scams are very convincing, but there are several red flags you can watch out for to avoid falling victim to them.
WARNING SIGNS OF THE SCAM
1. Medicare Does Not Issue Flex Cards Medicare itself does not give out flex cards. While certain Medicare Advantage plans do offer them, you must already be a member of that plan to receive one. If someone claims that Medicare is issuing flex cards, it’s a clear sign of a scam.
2. The Card Can’t Be Used for Anything Scammers might say that you can use the flex card for anything you want, like groceries and clothes. This is not true. Flex cards provided by legitimate Medicare Advantage plans are only for specific health-related expenses. They cannot be used like a debit card for all purchases.
3. Unsolicited Contact If someone from outside your current Medicare Advantage plan contacts you about a flex card, it’s likely a scam. You can only get a flex card if you are a member of the Medicare Advantage plan offering it. Medicare does not reach out to people directly to offer flex cards and they do not sell these cards. Only a representative from your own plan can offer flex cards if you qualify.
4. Asking for Personal Information Be cautious if a caller or ad asks for private information such as your Medicare number, Social Security number, or financial details. Legitimate Medicare Advantage plans won’t ask for this type of information over the phone or through an ad. Always verify the source before giving out any private information.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A SCAM
If you receive a call or see an ad about a flex card that seems too good to be true, do not share your personal information. Hang up on any suspicious calls and ignore any unsolicited advertisements. Instead, contact your Medicare Advantage plan directly using the contact information on your plan’s official website or documents to confirm if you are eligible for a flex card. By being aware of these scams and knowing what to look out for, you can help protect yourself and others from identity theft and fraud.
The Missouri SMP is here to provide you with information you need to protect, detect, and report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. If you think you or a loved one has been a target of a Medicare scam, call the Missouri SMP at 888-515-6565.
This project was supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $662,347 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government