For many on fixed incomes, paying for medications and food can really chip away at the monthly budget. You see advertisements, get junk mail and unwanted phone calls offering help with these items in the form of a food card/grocery allowance and getting money back from Social Security. How does someone get these services? Below, I will explain who may qualify and under what conditions a beneficiary may qualify.
I keep seeing advertisements and am getting phone calls about getting a food card or getting money back from Social Security. They can’t advertise it if it isn’t true, can they?
It’s important to be cautious of advertisements and sales people calling you promising to provide you with a grocery allowance, money back from Social Security, or other extras from Medicare. These types of offers may be scams, fraudulent, or half-truths and it’s important to protect yourself from identity theft and financial fraud.
Federal regulations have been passed to ban these misleading and, sometimes illegal, sales tactics but the companies and sales people who use these deceptive tactics are not easily discouraged.
What is the Medicare Food Card?
Medicare does not offer a food benefit program. Medicare was designed to offer only in-patient hospital services (Part A) and medical/outpatient services (Part B). However, some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional extra “benefits” such as a food card or grocery allowance to eligible individuals. These “benefits” are offered at the discretion of the plan and vary depending on the specific plan and location.
To receive these benefits, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the benefit and meet the plan’s eligibility requirements. Quite often, the beneficiary must be enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program or receiving a Low-Income Subsidy.
It’s important to note that not all Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits that are beyond what is covered under original Medicare, and the availability of benefits vary by plan and location.
Additionally, it is important to know that choosing one of these plans simply for the extra benefits may cause you financial harm in the way of premiums, higher copayments, higher drug costs, etc. Always check with a trusted insurance advisor to make sure you are not making a mistake.
How do I get money back from Social Security check?
There are only two ways to get money added back to your Social Security check. The first way is to be enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program or receive the Low-Income Subsidy. The second way is to be enrolled in a “Give-Back” Medicare Advantage plan.
What is a Give-Back Plan?
Regarding money back on your Social Security check, Medicare Advantage plans may offer rebates or incentives to eligible individuals. These rebates and incentives are referred to as a “Give-Back”. The “Give-Back” plan credits back to your Social Security check a sum of money for every month you are enrolled in the plan. The amount is different for each “Give-Back” plan. Sometimes, the term “Part B Reduction” may be used.
Understand that enrolling in these rebate plans means you likely will pay more for copays, medications (if the rebate plan covers them), and you may miss out on other available benefits. Because these rebates and incentives are paid by the insurance company, not Medicare, the insurance company may reduce benefits in one part of the plan to pay for the rebate and incentive.
Further, the availability of these incentives do vary by plan and location so the rebate plans may not available in all areas. It’s important to thoroughly research any offers or promises made and to be cautious of scams or fraudulent schemes.
What are Medicare Savings Programs and Low-Income Subsidies?
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) and Low-Income Subsidies (LIS) are programs that help eligible individuals pay for their healthcare expenses under the Medicare program.
Medicare Savings Programs are state-administered programs that provide financial assistance to people who have limited income and resources to pay for their Medicare premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Savings Programs are sometimes referred to as Medicaid.
Low-Income Subsidies, also known as Extra Help, is a federal program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for their Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) and drug copays. The program provides assistance in paying for the monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments for prescription drugs.
To be eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy, you must be enrolled in a Prescription Drug Plan and you must have an income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level with limited resources, such as savings and investments within specific guidelines.
Both MSPs and LIS help make healthcare more affordable for low-income individuals and families. Eligibility requirements and benefits vary by state and program, so it’s important to check with an independent broker who has all plan options available for more information.
Where We Are Now
Now you understand what the food card and money back from Social Security offers are. These offers are real but only available in limited circumstances, specific locations and not everyone will qualify. The old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” certainly applies here.