Is the Medicare flex card real?

Does Medicare give out flex cards?

No. Fraud-awareness materials from the CMS Center for Program Integrity say Medicare doesn't issue flex cards, and that if a caller offers a flex card from Medicare, it's a scam. The same materials describe advertisements claiming that Medicare is giving out flex cards containing several hundred dollars to apply toward food and other items. CMS says this scam directs you to a website that asks for personal information that can be stolen, such as a Social Security Number, a credit card number or bank account information.

CMS also shares reports from people with Medicare who got calls asking whether they had received a "healthy food card" or "healthy flex card," offering a "free grocery card," or saying they might be eligible for a flex card to help pay utilities and buy groceries. In each report, the caller asked for the person's Medicare number.

Where do real flex cards come from?

From some private Medicare Advantage plans. CMS says some private Medicare Advantage plans offer flex cards, but you must first qualify for one. Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare-approved plans offered by private companies, and they must follow rules set by Medicare.

The Medicare & You 2027 handbook says Medicare Advantage plans may cover some benefits Original Medicare doesn't, like certain gym memberships or discounts, vision, hearing and dental care, rides to doctor visits and over-the-counter drugs Part D doesn't cover. These benefits are generally limited, so check with the plan before you join to find out exactly what is covered and whether the benefits are available to you. Plans can also offer benefits customized for people with specific conditions and certain chronic illnesses, but you'll need to wait until you join the plan to find out if you qualify. See what extra benefits Medicare Advantage plans can offer.

What would I have to do to get a plan's benefits?

You'd have to join that Medicare Advantage plan, at a time when you're allowed to. The Medicare & You 2027 handbook and Medicare.gov list what joining involves:

• You must have Part A and Part B, live in the plan's service area, and be a U.S. citizen or national or meet one of the lawful-status requirements the handbook lists.
• You can join or drop a plan only at certain times, such as Open Enrollment from October 15 to December 7.
• You must keep paying your Part B premium to stay in the plan.
• Joining a Medicare Advantage plan might cause you to lose employer or union coverage for yourself, your spouse and your dependents.
• If you drop a Medigap policy to join, you may not be able to get it back, or you may pay more, if you later return to Original Medicare.
• Plans can change their benefits, costs and service areas each year, and your plan's Annual Notice of Change lists the changes that start in January.

How can I tell if a flex card ad or call breaks Medicare's rules?

Compare it with Medicare's marketing rules. Medicare.gov says Medicare plans and their agents and brokers aren't allowed to:

• Use inaccurate, misleading or confusing information or images, including misleading use of the CMS logo, the Medicare logo or the Medicare card
• Advertise without using the specific plan type (like HMO or PPO) in the plan name
• Call or text you unless you're already a member of the plan or gave them permission
• Offer you cash, gifts worth more than a small dollar limit Medicare sets, or free meals as an incentive to join
• Ask for your bank account or credit card numbers over the phone or in person just to give you a quote
• Come to your home uninvited to sell you something

What should I do if I get a flex card call or ad?

Don't share your Medicare Number or other personal information with anyone who contacts you by phone, email or in person unless you gave them permission in advance. Medicare.gov says Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home. To report a plan or agent that uses false information to mislead you, or to get help if you think you were misled when choosing a plan, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. For Medicare Advantage and drug plans you can also call the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). More: what Medicare never does.