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Even though the cards are called Medicare flex cards, they have nothing to do with original Medicare. They are a benefit provided by private Medicare Advantage plans and distributed to certain eligible members — quarterly or annually — to cover some health-related expenses.
The federal government does not offer flex cards, and anyone who’s claiming to be offering Medicare flex cards directly to you without a Medicare Advantage plan is probably a scammer.
Beware of flex card scams if someone claims to be from Medicare offering one of these cards. It could be an ID thief trying to steal your personal information. Return to Medicare Q&A main page
These days, Medicare flex card scams targeting seniors are increasingly common. So how can you tell whether a flex card offer is real? And what should you do if you think you’re being scammed? Let’s look at how Medicare flex cards work, how to spot a flex card scam and how you can protect yourself. Medicare flex cards and how they work
Unfortunately, some Medicare flex card advertisements are scams that prey on older adults. In some cases, these ads direct you to a website or phone number that asks for private information: credit card numbers, Social Security numbers or bank account details.
Private insurance companies that sell certain plans, called Medicare Advantage, are allowed to offer customers a prepaid debit card, sometimes referred to as flex cards.
And remember – you can’t buy a flex spending card independently of a Medicare Advantage plan. It’s not an add-on or a specific perk you can sign up for and purchase by itself. Knowing this can help you avoid common Medicare flex card scams.
If you believe you have been the victim of a Medicare flex card scam, report it to the government by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Is the Medicare flex card worth it? Before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the flex card, consider the plan’s overall benefits.
No, that's not true: Flex cards -- attached to a flexible spending account with money put aside for specific expenses such as medical costs -- are not a part of the Medicare program. Many advertisements promoting these flex cards make it sound as if the flex card is a government benefit or stimulus.
If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, asking for your Social Security number, bank information, or other information to get your new card, that’s a scam. Hang up. Medicare will never ask you to give personal information to get your new Medicare number and card.