The $900 Food Card Ads — What Is Real and What Is a Scam
$900 food card ads often exaggerate Medicare benefits. Learn how to spot scams and understand real Medicare benefits available in NJ, NY, and PA.
You have probably seen the ads. On television, on social media, maybe even in your email inbox. A friendly voice or a flashing banner tells you that you may qualify for a $900 grocery benefit through Medicare. All you have to do is call a number or click a link to claim it.
Before you do anything, read this first.
What Are These Ads Actually Selling?
These advertisements are not from Medicare. They are not from the government. In most cases they are from private insurance companies or marketing organizations trying to get your attention and your personal information.
Some Medicare Advantage plans do include a small grocery or food allowance as an extra benefit. This is real. However the dollar amounts are almost always exaggerated in these ads. A benefit that pays $25 to $100 per month toward healthy food items gets advertised as a $900 card to grab your attention.
The $900 figure typically refers to an annual maximum — not a monthly benefit — and even that number is only available on select plans in select areas. Most people who call those numbers never receive anywhere close to what was advertised.
What Happens When You Call or Click?
When you respond to these ads you are typically connected with a high volume call center. The person on the other end is often trying to enroll you in a new Medicare Advantage plan as quickly as possible. They may not take the time to review whether that plan is actually right for you, whether your doctors are in the network, or whether your medications are covered.
In some cases your personal information including your Medicare number is collected and sold to multiple marketing organizations. This leads to the flood of spam calls that millions of Medicare beneficiaries experience every year.
How to Protect Yourself
Never call a number from a television ad or social media post claiming you have a guaranteed benefit waiting for you. Legitimate Medicare benefits do not work that way.
Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information to anyone who contacts you first.
If you want to know what extra benefits are genuinely available to you in your area, speak with a licensed Medicare advisor who can review your specific situation and give you honest, accurate information.
The Bottom Line
Some Medicare Advantage plans do offer legitimate extra benefits including grocery allowances, dental coverage, vision, hearing, and transportation. These benefits are real and worth knowing about. However the only way to know what you actually qualify for is to speak with someone who will take the time to review your situation honestly.
At Aegis Sage we help Medicare beneficiaries in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania understand exactly what benefits are available to them — without the hype and without the pressure.
Call us at (929) 888-7348 or visit aegissage.com to schedule a free consultation. There is no obligation and no cost.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the government or Federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent multiple organizations which offer multiple products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options.