Some Medicare plans do offer a grocery benefit, but theyre not common.
In fact, original Medicare, the standard version provided by the government, does notextend a grocery allowance.
However, privately-implemented Medicare Advantage plansmayinclude grocery benefits, includingcertain Special Needs plans.
From vision to dental, here’s how to save money on everythingMedicare doesn’t cover.
Only certain types of Medicare Advantage plans offer a grocery allowance.
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What Is a Medicare Grocery Benefit?
A Medicare grocery benefit is a monthly or quarterly allowance offered by certain types of Medicare Advantage plans.
Dont look at the money as a carte blanche to buy anything at the grocery store.
you’ve got the option to only use it to buy qualifying health food.
Sometimes these allowances will also cover over-the-counter medicine and certain products from drugstores.
The money can also occasionally cover home-delivered meals in the event of a medical issue.
How Does a Medicare Grocery Allowance Work?
These cards go by different names.
Many of these Medicare grocery allowance benefits are use it or lose it.
That means unused funds dont roll over month to month.
Youll have touse the entiretyof the allowance in the quarter or month it is issued.
Which Medicare Plans Offer a Grocery Allowance Benefit?
you might qualify for this throw in of plan if you have certain diseases or a qualifying health condition.
About 41% of Special Needs Plans offered a food and produce supplemental benefit in 2023, according toKFF.
In contrast, just under 16% of regular Medicare Advantage plans offered a similar benefit.
Medicare Advantage enrollment has skyrocketedfrom 13.4 millionin 2012 to30.8 millionin 2023.
There are literally hundreds of Medicare Advantage plans nationwide, and whats available often depends on where you live.
The best way to find a Medicare Advantage plan offering a grocery allowance is to use theMedicare Plan Findertool.
How Much Is the Average Medicare Grocery Allowance?
Not all plans offer a Medicare grocery allowance, and the benefit size varies from plan to plan.
Florida Blue MedicaresD-SNP, for example, offers a $50 monthly food allowance benefit to qualifying members.
The benefit ranges from $35 to $275, according toHumana.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
In 2023, about 78% of all Medicare Advantage plans offered meal benefits,according to KFF.
Compare that to less than 16% of all individual plans that offered a grocery allowance.
A doctor, discharge nurse or care coordinator can order the meal benefit if its offered by your plan.
Check with your Medicare Advantage plan provider to see if a meal benefit is included.
Is a Medicare Grocery Allowance Benefit Worth It?
They can help you compare your current plans benefits with others in your area and exploreMedicare Savings Programs.
A SHIP volunteer will never attempt to sell you anything.
Theres no income restrictions to get help either.
Anyone can use the program, free of charge.
you could find your SHIP by using the onlineSHIP Regional Locatortool.
Or you could call the national connection hotline at 1-877-839-2675.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is anationwide programdesigned to help generally homebound and often low-income seniors access food.
Meals are usually provided on a sliding scale basis.
Some communities also have waiting lists.
you might find contact information for your local Meals on Wheels program by using thissearch feature.
The average monthly SNAP benefit was $212 per month in 2023, according toKFF.
To qualify forSNAP benefits, you must have limited assets and income.
To apply for SNAP benefits, fill out theonline utility for your state.
Feeding America offers afood bank and food program locatoryou can use to find food banks in your area.
However, finding the time for it can be challenging.
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Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
She focuses on Medicare, retirement, investing and taxes.
Kelly Gurnett is a former contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
