As we age, our food requirements and dietary habits begin to change. Eating healthy and nutritious meals is vital for maintaining good health, yet it can be difficult to find affordable options as an elderly person. Fortunately, senior citizens who are enrolled in certain Medicare Advantage Plans may be able to receive extra benefits including access to a Healthy Foods Card. Some of the more well-known cards are provided by United Health, Aetna, and Humana.
In this blog post, we will discuss the various ways senior citizens can benefit by using a Healthy Food Card from their Medicare Advantage contract.
What Is a Healthy Food Card?
A healthy food card is essentially a debit card given out by providers that offer Medicare Advantage Plans. People enrolled in these plans receive the cards and are able to use them at participating grocery stores to purchase healthier foods. By receiving the card, eligible seniors are able to supplement their monthly income while also buying healthier food items than they would otherwise not have access to.
Benefits of Using A Healthy Food Card
Using a healthy food card provides seniors with several key advantages, including financial savings and improved nutrition. First off, by using the cards when shopping, eligible seniors can lower their overall costs on food since they often get discounted prices on items such as fruits and vegetables or low fat dairy products.
Additionally, some programs even provide additional discounts on pre-made meals like frozen entrees or ready-to-eat snacks. This type of program helps promote better nutrition among seniors since most of these meals contain fewer calories and more nutrients than what you might find in processed foods or fast food restaurants.
Furthermore, depending on the state where you live and your specific plan details, you may even be eligible for special discounts when ordering meals online from certain companies like Uber Eats or DoorDash.
SNAP and a Healthy Foods Card
For seniors receiving SNAP benefits, a Healthy Food Card is not a substitute for SNAP. You can use both the card and SNAP benefits to buy healthy foods for you and your family.
How Much is the Benefit of These Cards?
The amount offered by each insurance carrier varies, but most offer a minimum of $35 per month. This amount can increase depending on the specific insurance plan that you have. Some plans include a higher monthly benefit for participants who meet certain criteria such as having low-income or other health conditions.
- Aetna currently offers $50 per month on its Healthy Food Card.
- Humana offers between $35-$275 on their Health Options Card
- United Health U Card Offer - Contact your provider
What Types of Medicare Advantage Programs Offer A Healthy Food Card?
Below are just some of the plans that offer a monthly allowance food card:
- Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (DSNPs)
- Select Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (CSNPs)
- Certain non-SNP members on select Medicare Advantage plans may also be eligible
How to Find Participating Stores?
Different Medicare Advantage Plans may not all offer the same retailers in their plans. You'll need to check with your plan provider for a complete list. Some of the larger stores that may participate include:
- CVS
- Walgreens
- Family Dollar
- Dollar General
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Publix
- HEB
- Vons
- Aldi
- Costco
Do You Also Qualify for SNAP?
If you receive SNAP benefits you can still use your Healthy Food Card. The card and benefits are provided in addition to the SNAP allowance. You can use both to purchase healthy food items.
Shop Conveniently with Both Cards
Check your Healthy Foods Card list against your SNAP participating store list and find ones that match up to get the most savings on eligible items. One great resource to quickly check your SNAP benefits and eligible items is the Providers app.
Does the Healthy Food Card also cover eligible utility bills?
While each plan is different, some do offer a broader ranges of plan benefits that will cover other expenses such as utility bills, over the counter medicines and low vision aids. Humana is offering many of these benefits to qualified Medicare Advantage subscribers.
United Health U card offers help with food as well as pet food, OTC products, pet care and more. Contact UnitedHealth to learn about these benefits.
Save Even More with Dual Eligible Plans Through Your Medicaid Benefits
Did you know your Medicaid benefits not only qualify you for the Healthy Food Card?
With your Dual Medicare and Medicaid plan you also automatically qualify you for FREE Monthly Cell Phone Service with unlimited data through Medicaid and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) with EASY Wireless.
Keep even more money in your retirement years and stay connected to your Medicare plan benefits with this free cell phone benefit.
You can sign up and qualify in only minutes for this FREE service. Learn more at EASY Wireless.
Safety and Security in Your Retirement Years
A Healthy Foods Card from your Medicare Advantage Plan can provide you with the peace of mind in knowing you have access to nutritious meals and other benefits.
Ask your agent or provider about any additional benefits and discounts that may be available to you through your plan and start using them today.
With a little extra planning, you can enjoy retirement years with peace of mind knowing that you are getting the most out of your Medicare Advantage Plan.
