What Is a Medicare Flex Card? (And How to Qualify for One)

Some seniors on Medicare get flex cards with their Medicare Advantage plans. See how they work.

A Medicare flex card can help pay for over-the-counter medicine, medical supplies, and sometimes even food and transportation to doctor appointments.

These cards are only available through some private Medicare Advantage plans—not through Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap).

Many Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage plans have access to flex card benefits but don't use them. In fact, older Americans leave about 30% of their over-the-counter benefits unused each year, adding up to roughly $5 billion in unclaimed benefits.

Depending on your Medicare Advantage plan, you could be missing out on $400-1,000 of extra benefits annually.

Want to find out if a Medicare flex card will work for you? Let's go through the basics, including how a Medicare flex card works, what benefits they can offer and how to get one.

Key Takeaways

• Flex cards allow Medicare Advantage beneficiaries to access cash-like benefits, including over-the-counter, grocery, and meal benefits.

• Not all Medicare Advantage plans offer flex spending cards.

• Flex card benefits often go unused due to confusion around how to use them.

• Benefits vary widely - from quarterly allowances of $50 for over-the-counter items to annual amounts of $1,000+ for comprehensive wellness needs.

What is a flex card?

A flex card is a prepaid debit card that gives you access to benefits through your Medicare Advantage insurance plan. This card is separate from your Medicare card and plan ID card. You can use it to pay for health and wellness needs like over-the-counter medications and supplies. Some plans also offer benefits for groceries and prepared meals. These benefits can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for everyday health and wellness expenses.

How do you get a Medicare flex card?

Medicare flex cards are only available through specific Medicare Advantage plans.  They're not included as part of Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement insurance plans. In 2025, 73% of Medicare Advantage plans will offer some form of OTC benefits, which can include flex cards and OTC cards. This means fewer plans are offering over-the-counter benefits in 2025 vs 2024, when 85% of plans offered these benefits. 

Note that some Medicare Advantage plans with flex card benefits are only available to people who have chronic illnesses or who are dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan when you first enroll in Medicare, during the annual Open Enrollment Period (October 15-December 7), or during qualifying Special Enrollment Periods. You must be enrolled in Original Medicare to be eligible for Medicare Advantage.

What can you use a Medicare Advantage flex card to buy?

Your flex card benefits depend on your specific insurance plan. The most common flex card benefit covers over-the-counter items like medications, dental supplies, mobility aids, and first-aid supplies.

Your plan determines both the coverage and payment structure. Common arrangements include:

• Quarterly allowances (like $50 every three months) for over-the-counter items

• Annual amounts for specific needs (such as vision care)

• Monthly allowances for groceries or meal delivery

Some health insurance plans may offer additional benefits available through your debit card, such as coverage for dental and vision copays.

To use your benefits card, you'll typically need to visit qualifying providers within your plan's network. Plan benefits vary by insurance provider, so check exactly what your flex card covers and when benefits expire. Unused quarterly allowances typically don't roll over.

Some Medicare Advantage plans, in particular, Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), offer enhanced flex card benefits for people with special needs. These special plans may provide higher allowances or additional coverage for specific health management needs.

Plan benefits vary by insurance provider so be sure to check exactly what your flex card covers.

Why do flex card benefits go unused?

While private insurance companies offer flex card benefits to Medicare beneficiaries, many enrollees find these benefits challenging to use.

Common reasons people don't use their benefits card include:

• Uncertainty about where they can shop and what items are covered

• Concern about having their card declined at checkout

• Difficulty tracking when benefits expire

• Limited access to in-network stores and pharmacy locations

• Questions about pricing compared to regular retail stores

For example, if you prefer shopping at stores that aren't in your plan's network, you'll need to switch to approved locations to use your healthcare benefits. Otherwise, you'll have to pay out of pocket at your preferred store while leaving your flex card benefits unused.

Should you look for a Medicare Advantage plan with flex card benefits?

While choosing a Medicare plan with flex card benefits can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs, it's important to prioritize your core healthcare needs when you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

First, verify that the plan covers your regular medical expenses, medications, and preferred doctors and hospitals. Added benefits, like flex cards and Medicare giveback programs, can be valuable—but making sure your essential medical needs are covered should come first.

Are Medicare flex cards legitimate?

Yes—Medicare flex cards offered through Medicare Advantage plans are completely legitimate benefits. While they provide real value for over-the-counter items, some people find them challenging to use. If you need help understanding your flex card benefits, contact your plan directly or get help from one of our licensed Medicare insurance agents.

Watch out for Medicare flex card scams

Watch out for scams: Medicare Advantage flex cards are legitimate benefits when offered through your Medicare Advantage plan. However, scammers often try to trick people by advertising fake flex cards.

Be wary of unsolicited advertisements or scam phone calls promising "free” flex cards for seniors on Medicare. These scammers often try to get you to visit websites and share your personal information.

Get help using your flex card

If your Medicare Advantage plan has an over-the-counter, meal, or grocery benefit but you're unsure how to access it:

• Contact your insurance carrier directly to get a current list of participating retailers

• Ask about online shopping options if available

• Request a complete catalog of covered items

• Verify your benefit loading dates and expiration periods

• Check if you can set up automatic notifications for new allowances

• Use the Chapter app to redeem your flex card benefits easily! 

If you enrolled in a Medicare plan with a Chapter Medicare agent, our team of Advocates will help you understand your plan benefits and how to use them to ensure you get the most from your Medicare.