My poker buddy Hank called me on a Tuesday night, fired up. "Bob, did you see that commercial? Medicare's giving people a grocery card. Hundreds of dollars. All you have to do is call."
Hank had already called. A friendly man on the phone asked for his Medicare number "to check eligibility," then spent forty minutes talking up a new Medicare Advantage plan. It came with a grocery benefit, dental, and a gym membership. He wanted Hank to switch that night.
Well, folks, I asked Hank two questions. Is your heart doctor in that plan's network? And do you actually qualify for the grocery part? He didn't know the answer to either one.
Does Medicare give everyone a grocery card?
No. Original Medicare does not give out grocery cards or food allowances. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are private plans that replace Original Medicare, offer a food or grocery benefit. But it's usually limited to members with certain chronic health conditions, and it varies a lot by plan and by county.
AARP's explainer on whether Medicare offers a grocery allowance lays this out clearly. The ad on TV may be real, but it doesn't mean you qualify, and it's often a lead-in to a sales call about switching plans.
What should I ask before I trust a grocery card ad?
In plain words, ask four things. Which exact plan and insurance company is this? Do I have to switch plans to get it? What health condition do I need to qualify? And are my doctors, my medicines, and my pharmacy covered in that plan?
Get the answers in writing, from the plan's own documents, not just from the person on the phone. And never give your Medicare number to someone who called you or who you called from a TV ad just to "check eligibility."
Why do these ads push you to switch plans?
Many of these ads are run by marketing companies that connect you with insurance agents. There's nothing illegal about that. But the agent's job is to sign you up, and a grocery card is an easy thing to get excited about.
The trouble is that a Medicare plan is about a lot more than one perk. NCOA's guide to Medicare Advantage plans explains how networks, costs, and extra benefits all work together. A plan with a grocery card and a narrow network can cost you more in the end.
How do I compare the whole plan, not just the perk?
Put simply, a grocery card, dental, or gym membership is nice to have. What matters more is whether your doctors are in the network, your medicines are covered, your pharmacy works with the plan, and what the plan costs you over a whole year.
The best time to compare is Medicare open enrollment, October 15 to December 7. A free, unbiased SHIP counselor at shiphelp.org can look at the plan with you. They don't sell anything.
What if someone calls me about a grocery card?
Hang up. Medicare won't call you out of the blue to offer you a card, and a real plan won't pressure you to decide on the spot. If you're curious, look the plan up yourself on Medicare's Plan Finder or call a SHIP counselor. Our guide on how to spot a phone scam covers the warning signs.
What Hank decided
Hank didn't switch that night. He met with a SHIP counselor the next week and learned the grocery benefit was only for members with certain conditions, which he doesn't have. His cardiologist wasn't in the network either. He's staying with his plan, and he's reviewing it again in October like the rest of us.
A good deal still has to fit your life, folks. Check the whole plan before you chase the perk.
Have you seen these grocery card ads? Tell us in the comments what they promised.
