Medicare Benefit Card - Page 3

Toppers3 · ‎10-25-2016

@CalminHeart wrote:

@Kachina624 wrote:
Does anyone know anything about the Medicare Benefits Card for groceries and medical supplies for which I keep seeing ads? Supposedly they (Medicare?) Send you a card with which you can get $2500 worth.

Wondering if it's legit? Theis is the last month for enrollment this year.

It's not from Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer this and it adds to the premium paid.

I didn't understand this concept, either.

My MIL kept telling us that her plan paid for her utilities and for transportation for her and for OTC products and other things and I was thinking that perhaps she was confused about her plan and her coverage until I saw the ad on TV, too.

She does have one of these Medicare-Medicaid Dual Care Plans, and they do offer these types of coverages.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Toppers3 Medicare Advantage and Medicaid combined is a different program altogether.

These programs are for those who quality for Medicaid benefits and are on Medicare.

These types of programs are not what is being discussed. Anyone, even wealthy people can buy an Advantage Medicare plan and still take advantage of all the perks offered.

They are not for low income folks.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@pdlinda wrote:
@Kachina624 I never heard of it and from what was mentioned on this thread I wouldn't qualify.

With our Country being $37 Trillion in debt AND medicare $$ dwindling I'm not seeing how any ADDITIONAL benefits could be offered to all recipients.

HOWEVER, I agree that for people with disabilities and certain underlying conditions whatever extra benefits are offered to them would certainly offset the medical bills that presumably would occur if those conditions were allowed to persist and got worse.

These plans have nothing to do with you being disabled or having underlying conditions or how much money you or the country has.

I am in great heath and have no financial problems and have one of these Advantage plans. Mine does not cover groceries or my utilities, but I have a debit card that I can use to buy stuff like toothpaste, slippers, and other things for health and hygienic needs. I get $250 three times a year on my card.

Plus, I get a loaded gift card for getting certain medical services. I had a colonscopy last week and should be receiving my $75 loaded card soon. They pay me to get preventative services.

Everyone qualifies if they live in an area that offers an Advantage Plan with perks and are eligible for Medicare Part A & B.

Your choices are keep Traditional Medicare and buy a $ supplement and RX insurance seperately if you wish

or

Trade your Traditional Medicare for an Advantage Plan which may or may not come with an $ additional cost.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
I dont trust the government or insurance companies. They are in bed together. JMO

Of course Medicare and private insurance companies who sell Advantage Plans and supplements are in bed together.

The federal government controls Medicare and supplemental plans, and they pay private insurance companies to administer Advantage plans.

You help them accomplish this by paying for Medicare Part B every month from your SS payment.

Rockycoast · ‎03-02-2016

@Carmie wrote:
@Bookplate wrote:
This has absolutely nothing to do with traditional Medicare and everything to do with Medicare Advantage plans. They are basically bribing you to take their inferior plans that do not cover as much as traditional Medicare and a medigap plan combined. It's just another insurance company sleight of hand.
By law, ALL Advantage plans MUST cover the same services as Medicare PART A and B.

The payments can be different, but they have to cover the same services.

Plus, Advantage Plans can cover RX drugs, Vision, Dental, OTC supplies, Food, Transportation, health club dues, hearing aids, and they pay you $ to get some services done....like a colonscopy or mammogram and immuzations.

Not all Advantage plans will give you an allowance for the grocery store, but some do...and not all Advantage plans include all the extras listed.

You have to do your homework and check out what is available in your area.

There is no slight of hand. You get info upfront before you buy. Some of those Advantage plans are super awesome....but not all of them, the same way some supplements are awesome and some aren't.

Agree @Carmie . There is No slight of hand. They don't know what they are talking about.

We have Aetna advantage Medicare. Awesome plan. Covers so much. There are pages and pages of OTC items it covers for free through CVS. Vision, Dental, RX., and more. As you said. compare plans, do your homework and pick what best fits your situation. We did and Advantage plan was great for us.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@pdlinda wrote:
@Kachina624 I never heard of it and from what was mentioned on this thread I wouldn't qualify.

With our Country being $37 Trillion in debt AND medicare $$ dwindling I'm not seeing how any ADDITIONAL benefits could be offered to all recipients.

HOWEVER, I agree that for people with disabilities and certain underlying conditions whatever extra benefits are offered to them would certainly offset the medical bills that presumably would occur if those conditions were allowed to persist and got worse.

@pdlinda Medicare Advantage plans are underwritten through insurance companies and they are the ones giving the "freebies" not original Medicare.

Toppers3 · ‎10-25-2016

@Carmie wrote:
@Toppers3 Medicare Advantage and Medicaid combined is a different program altogether.

These programs are for those who quality for Medicaid benefits and are on Medicare.

These types of programs are not what is being discussed. Anyone, even wealthy people can buy an Advantage Medicare plan and still take advantage of all the perks offered.

They are not for low income folks.

Thanks for your reply, @Carmie .

I appreciate your knowledge and input on this topic.

I was following along here in the thread about what the discussion is regarding other Advantage Plans and other benefits associated with them.

I can personally also see "why" this can also possibly cause confusion though, because my MIL's plan is a special type of Advantage Plan, and when anyone thinks of an Advantage Plan, we would most likely think of the usual plans that are out there.

I had personally never heard of a plan like my MIL's plan until she told us about it.

My husband will be navigating everything regarding Medicare soon enough, as he will be eligible later this year.

My MIL's plan is offered by UHC, in case anyone is interested in looking into it, and it's considered a "special needs" plan.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Toppers3 My elderly friend who is in a senior care center has a Medicare and Medicaid combined Advantage Plan with UHC too. I am her POA and signed her up last summer.

She has a lot of these special perks,but since everything is supplied to her by the center, she doesn't use most of the stuff available.

They are great plans for those in need...very comprehensive.

Toppers3 · ‎10-25-2016

@Carmie wrote:
@Toppers3 My elderly friend who is in a senior care center has a Medicare and Medicaid combined Advantage Plan with UHC too. I am her POA and signed her up last summer.

She has a lot of these special perks,but since everything is supplied to her by the center, she doesn't use most of the stuff available.

They are great plans for those in need...very comprehensive.

You bring up a really good point, @Carmie .

My husband just placed his Mom in the same type of a place, so it might be better to see what else is available for her too, regarding other plans.

Where she's at now, everything is taken care of too, just like for your friend.

Before this move for my MIL, she was still on her own so she was able to make use of all of the plan benefits.

Thanks again for your invaluable input.

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

Most of these ads are sales ploys; from what I have seen any extra benefit depends upon income or zip code. I am on United Healthcare Medicare Advantage and all the extra benefits they show on tv are only available to those in specific zip codes.