A critical deadline is approaching for millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans — not open enrollment — I’m talking about expiring prepaid benefit cards. Many Medicare Advantage enrollees are issued flex cards — preloaded debit cards that can be used for certain health- and wellness-related expenses that MA plans may not cover outright. These expenses can include over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and supplies, hearing, dental and vision services, and more.
If your Medicare Advantage plan includes a flex card allowance, you have until the end of 2025 to use the funds. These cards operate on a “use-it-or-lose-it” basis, and any balance remaining on the card when the clock strikes midnight on December 31 will be forfeited. Don’t miss your final opportunity to cash in on benefits you’ve already paid for, ensuring you maximize every dollar intended for your health and wellness.
What are Medicare Advantage flex cards?
A flex card is a prepaid debit card offered by some private insurance companies through their Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Flex Cards are a supplemental benefit offered by private insurers, not by the federal government or original Medicare.
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The card is preloaded with a specific dollar amount (an allowance), which can be added monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on your specific plan. Allowances typically range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand annually.
Use of the card is restricted. The card can only be used for a list of approved, health-related expenses designated by your plan.
The card only works at participating retailers, such as pharmacies, grocery stores, dentists, or eye doctors that accept the card’s network. If you try to buy an ineligible item or shop at a non-participating store, the card will be declined.
Most Flex Card allowances do not roll over. Funds usually expire at the end of the calendar year (December 31st), or, in some cases, at the end of the quarter or month they were issued.
Covered expenses vary by plan
Although most MA enrollees are in plans that offer dental (98%), vision (100%), hearing (96%), and OTC medication (88%) benefits, according to the Commonwealth Fund, findings show that many of these enrollees do not report using them. In fact, Medicare Advantage plans were supposed to begin sending plan participants mid-year reminders, “Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Unused Supplemental Benefits,” this past July. However, this rule has been paused by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid due to industry concerns and requests for guidance.
Don’t let the opportunity to access additional resources go unused. Use some of our suggestions below, or use the list as a jumping-off point to find goods or services that would better suit your needs.
|
Category |
Typical items covered |
Row 0 – Cell 2 |
|
Over-the-counter (OTC) |
Pain relievers, vitamins, cold/allergy medicine, first aid supplies, dental supplies, incontinence products, blood pressure monitors |
Row 1 – Cell 2 |
|
Dental/vision/ hearing |
Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and sometimes dentures. |
Row 2 – Cell 2 |
|
Healthy groceries |
Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and certain non-perishable food items (often restricted to Dual Special Needs Plans—D-SNPs) |
Row 3 – Cell 2 |
|
General health |
Gym memberships, fitness trackers, and transportation costs to/from medical appointments. |
Row 4 – Cell 2 |
What to buy before year-end
Since most flex card allowances operate on a strict “use-it-or-lose-it” basis by December 31st, it is essential to spend any remaining balance before the deadline. Beneficiaries should focus on buying non-perishable health essentials that they know they will use in the first few months of the new year or services not otherwise covered by their Medicare Advantage plan.
One easy way to exhaust your remaining flex card benefit is to stock up on non-perishable over-the-counter (OTC) items:
- Vitamins/supplements: Purchase common daily vitamins such as vitamin D, C, multivitamins or fish oil
- Over-the-counter medications: Stock up on pain relievers, cold/flu medication, allergy meds, antacids and laxatives
- First aid supplies: What is running low or missing from your kit? See if you need bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointments, heating pads or cold packs.
- Personal care supplies: Replenish your supply of toothpaste, toothbrushes, denture cream and contact lens solution.
If you have a large remaining balance, consider buying more expensive medical equipment that is durable, such as a walker or cane. You might also want to purchase a shower chair or grab bars for bathroom safety.
Other options could include a new blood pressure monitor, glucose monitor, or replacement batteries for hearing aids. If your plan covers it, consider getting a low-cost fitness tracker or some light exercise equipment.
Check with your Medicare Advantage plan for the details
Don’t let this benefit go to waste. I’ve given you the general outlines of how these flex cards work, but you need to investigate to find out the details of how your particular benefit works. Try contacting your Medicare Advantage plan or checking their website for help. Here’s the information you need to fully understand your benefit:
1- Check the expiration date: Call your Medicare Advantage plan or check your member portal immediately to confirm the exact expiration date of your remaining balance.
2- Verify your balance: Find your current exact balance. Don’t rely on memory.
3- Review the approved list: Re-read your plan’s benefit guide or check the list of approved retailers and goods to ensure your final purchases will be covered at the store you plan to visit
