Medicare Grocery Allowance Cards: Do You Really Qualify?
You've probably seen the commercials:
“Get money for groceries with Medicare!”
It sounds great, but there's something those advertisements don't always make clear.
There is no universal Medicare grocery allowance.
Some people really can receive money toward groceries through their insurance plan, but simply having Medicare does not mean you qualify.
Where Do Medicare Grocery Benefits Come From?
Original Medicare does not provide grocery cards.
Instead, grocery and healthy-food allowances may be offered as an extra benefit through certain Medicare Advantage plans.
And not every Medicare Advantage plan offers one.
The benefits available to you can depend on:
The Medicare Advantage plan you choose
Where you live
Whether you have Medicare and Medicaid
Whether you have certain qualifying chronic health conditions
The eligibility requirements established by the plan
Who May Qualify?
Some of the more substantial grocery benefits you see advertised may be Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill, commonly called SSBCI.
These benefits can be offered to Medicare Advantage members who meet specific health-related eligibility requirements.
Having a chronic condition alone doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll receive the benefit.
Certain Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D SNPs) may also offer grocery or healthy-food benefits to qualifying members who have both Medicare and Medicaid. SSBCI qualifications still apply!
The key word is qualifying.
What Can You Buy?
If your plan provides a grocery allowance and you qualify, the card may cover approved foods such as:
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry and fish
Dairy products
Eggs
Whole grains
Other approved healthy foods
Your plan determines exactly what you can purchase and where you can use the card.
These cards generally aren't simply cash that can be spent anywhere.
Don't Pick a Medicare Plan Just for the Grocery Card
This is the part I really want Medicare beneficiaries to understand.
A grocery allowance is a perk. Your healthcare coverage is the priority.
Before changing Medicare Advantage plans for a grocery benefit, look at the entire plan.
Are your doctors in-network?
Is your preferred hospital in-network?
Are your medications covered?
What are your copays?
What is your maximum out-of-pocket exposure?
You could potentially save a few hundred dollars on groceries while ending up spending considerably more because your doctors, prescriptions or other healthcare needs aren't covered as well.
Beware of the “Free Grocery Money” Advertisements
If an advertisement makes it sound like everyone on Medicare can receive hundreds of dollars every month for groceries, be skeptical.
These benefits are real.
But they aren't available to everyone.
The amount, eligibility requirements and spending rules vary by insurance company, Medicare Advantage plan and location.
The Bottom Line
Medicare grocery allowances can be a valuable extra benefit for people who actually qualify for them.
But don't choose your health insurance based on a grocery card.
Choose the Medicare coverage that works best for your doctors, prescriptions, healthcare needs and budget, and then consider benefits like grocery, dental, vision and OTC allowances as extras.
Medicare Melanie looks at the entire picture, not just the benefit that looked good in a commercial.
Have Medicare questions?
Medicare Melanie is here to help.
Schedule your free appointment with Medicare Melanie today by calling
(904) 582 - 8067
Comments