What does it mean to age well, with independence and vitality? It means exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and staying socially connected. These are all things that can help you stay active and mentally sharp as you get older.

But if you don’t drive or have friends or family nearby, getting the items you need for a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge. If you do drive, you may wish to limit trips to the store if you live far away, during poor weather, or to reduce your exposure to illness.

How can my flex card help me maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Depending on the specific plan and issuer, your Medicare Advantage flex card can be used to purchase a variety of eligible health-related items and services not covered by Medicare. What could a flex card pay for?

Generally, these benefit cards can be used for:

• Nutritious foods
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications (e.g., pain relievers and antihistamines)
• Vitamins
• Medical supplies
• Dental, eye, and ear products
• Fitness memberships
• Out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits, dental care, vision care, and hearing aids
• Non-medical transportation
• Some delivery services

Do Medicare Advantage flex cards cover grocery delivery services?

Here’s the good news: most people who have Medicare Advantage are enrolled in a plan that has extra non-Medicare related benefits. Plans with extra non-Medicare related benefits will often provide a flex card (similar to a preloaded debit card). Preloaded with money to pay for eligible expenses, some plans offer between $250 to $1,500 annually.^1,2 You may be able to use your flex card to pay for groceries that can be delivered using an app like Uber Eats. This service offers delivery of fresh groceries and OTC items like toiletries, medications, and medical supplies.

Five advantages to grocery delivery and how your flex card could help

1. You can save time and hassle by avoiding trips to the supermarket, especially if you live in an area further away from stores.
2. You can find access to fresh, nourishing food—like fruits and vegetables; fish, meat, and poultry; dairy products, and grains - to help you maintain a healthy diet and manage and prevent certain chronic health conditions.
3. It lessens the physical strain and potential risks of grocery shopping in person, such as driving and walking during inclement weather, carrying heavy bags, and navigating a crowded store.
4. Grocery delivery helps you live more independently. You can select your groceries and plan meals without relying on others for a ride to the store.
5. Grocery delivery helps you limit your time spent in indoor public spaces, reducing your exposure to illness.

“Access to nutritious food is key to maintaining a healthy diet and helping manage and prevent chronic conditions,” said Zachary Clark, Global GM of Uber Health. “Using your health benefits card for grocery delivery can help you access the food you need, when you need it. Delivery can also help eliminate the difficulties of shopping in-person, especially for those with mobility issues or those lacking dependable transportation.”

How does online grocery delivery work?

Deliveries through an app allow you to order eligible food and OTC items from participating retail store locations. Oftentimes, you can request same-day delivery.

While different websites and apps have different features, below is a simple overview of how Uber Eats works:

1. Step 1: Visit the Uber Eats website or download the Uber Eats app and create an account. Then, add your health benefits card/flex card by choosing ‘Go to Wallet’ and then selecting 'Add your payment method.’ Be sure to add a second payment method for any items or fees not covered by your flex card.
2. Step 2: Through the website or app, choose the grocery store or drugstore you want to shop at and browse the store’s digital catalog.
3. Step 3: Add the eligible foods and/or over-the-counter (OTC) items you want to purchase to your virtual shopping cart.
4. Step 4: At checkout, choose your flex card as the primary payment method and select a delivery time that suits your schedule. Submit your order. Then, sit back, relax, and wait for your delivery!
5. Step 5: Unable to add your flex card benefits to the Uber Eats app? Call Uber's grocery delivery support helpline at 1-866-UBR-HLTH ( 1-866-827-4584). Uber's new call center has dedicated agents that can help you create an account, add your flex card benefits, and walk through a grocery order.

Make the most of your flex card benefits

Using your Medicare Advantage flex card to pay for eligible purchases like healthy foods and OTC items is a smart way to get the most out of your plan. These options help you eat healthy, save money, and gives you more time to do things you enjoy. 

What’s even better? When you use your flex card to get groceries delivered, you can get the items you need without traveling miles to the store or depending on someone else’s schedule. Note, though, that not every business accepts Medicare Advantage flex cards as a form of payment. Insurance plans offering flex cards will have a list of approved retailers who will accept your card.

Take the next step:

• Contact your Medicare Advantage plan issuer to find out if your flex benefits card allows you to use your funds for grocery and OTC item delivery.
• If you already know your flex card covers grocery and OTC item delivery, learn how to add your card to the Uber app and start using those benefits right away.

Need help understanding your Medicare options?

Understanding the different parts of Medicare, when to enroll, and which type of care is covered by Medicare can seem complicated. If you decide to choose a Medicare Advantage plan, check if it offers a flex card, and that you qualify for this benefit.

If you need help sorting through your options, NCOA has trusted partners committed to serving your Medicare selection needs and priorities at no cost to you. You can contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) or talk to one of NCOA’s trusted Medicare broker partners who meet our Medicare Standards of Excellence.

This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately. No physician-patient relationship is created by this article. Neither Uber nor its employees, nor any contributor to this article, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use

Sources

1. Nerdwallet. What Is the Medicare Flex Card? Jan. 8, 2024. Found on the Internet at https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/medicare/medicare-flex-card

2. KFF. Medicare Advantage in 2024: Premiums, Out-of-Pocket Limits, Supplemental Benefits, and Prior Authorization. August 8, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2024-premiums-out-of-pocket-limits-supplemental-benefits-and-prior-authorization/