Okay, how many of you have gotten something in the mail or received a phone call that leads you to believe you should be getting groceries with your Medicare Advantage plan? Yep, that’s what I thought, 100% of you. It seems I get at least two cards in the mail a month asking if I am getting my $1606 grocery benefit. And I don’t even want to count the number of phone calls.
Then of course I get calls from clients asking, “Do I have this benefit with my plan?” Kudos to them for calling me or Crystal before committing to some stranger on the phone. But it is frustrating that there are people out there who are hurting senior adults.
Since this is such a hot topic, let’s talk about it for a minute and clear the air. The short answer to the question, “Does Medicare cover groceries?” NO! Original Medicare does not cover groceries in any way shape or form. Nada! Zip! Zero! It just isn’t happening!
Now for the long answer, maybe. Again, Original Medicare does not cover groceries. However, some Medicare Advantage plans do help with groceries, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. So, what are these circumstances?
There are two basic things that might qualify a person for the grocery benefit. They are:
- If you qualify for low-income assistance, i.e.: Medicaid. This can be confusing as there are a variety of levels of assistance within Medicaid and a variety of Medicare plans that coincide with those levels, including Extra Help with drug costs, Full dual eligible Medicare Advantage plans and Partial dual eligible Medicare Advantage plans. These are programs designed for different Medicaid levels and they don’t all offer the same thing. We have tools to help us determine if you qualify.
For example, there is one plan that offers $331 per month to use toward groceries, utilities or over the counter items for Fully Dual Medicare beneficiaries. This is the largest amount available currently in central Indiana. To receive this benefit, your income and assets must be very low.
Next is SSBCI or Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill. There are a wide variety of options such programs for kidney disease, or diabetes or cardiac issues. For example, I qualify for a $50 a month grocery benefit because of my autoimmune disease.
Figuring out these things is complicated. And just because a plan may offer groceries, doesn’t automatically make it the best option for you. There are always trade outs. This is why we are here. We have the experience of sorting through all the smoke and mirrors that the phone representatives won’t tell you about. They just want to sell you something. We are here looking out for your best interests.
If you want to review these for next year, give us a call at 317-606-5426. We’ll help guide you to the best plan for you.