Certain Medicare Plans Could Offer Members Food Assistance Benefits
Certain Medicare Plans Could Offer Members Food Assistance Benefits
– The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a long list of unprecedented challenges,
including the way it has caused food insecurity to rise. Food insecurity is
defined as the lack of access to enough nutritionally adequate foods to live
an active and healthy life. Fortunately, there are some benefits that can help
qualifying members of Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
(D-SNP) address this issue. In fact, a benefit including a monthly food card
allowance can assist people in purchasing food and beverages at a variety of
well-known, national stores.During this Medicare Annual Election Period, which
runs from October 15 through December 7, individuals who qualify for both
Medicare and Medicaid, also known as dual-eligible individuals, should
consider enrolling in a D-SNP. If you are eligible for Medicare — meaning
you’re age 65 or older or are living with a disability — and meet the
requirements to have Medicaid, be sure to look into a D-SNP as some plans may
include:* Convenience of a debit card: Qualifying members of D-SNPs with a
food benefit may receive a food-card like a credit card. Once the card is
activated, you can purchase qualifying items, such as milk, eggs, bread,
juices, waters, yogurts, fruits, vegetables and more, utilizing the available
balance on your card. However, it’s important to keep in mind that certain
items, such as pet food, may not qualify and would need to be purchased with
another form of payment.* Monthly allowances: Some D-SNPs have a monthly
stipend, for example $25 – $75, that would be loaded to your card on the first
day of each month. Members should aim to use their allotment before the end of
each month, as the balance may not be able to be carried over.* In-store
purchases only: These food cards often can only be used for in-store purchases
and may not be able to be used for online or curbside orders. It’s important
to take the proper precautions provided by the CDC when going out to stores,
including wearing a mask or face covering, maintaining proper social
distancing by staying 6 feet or more away from others, and washing your hands
for at least 20 seconds after you remove the mask.It’s important to note that
a food card benefit is a Value Based Insurance Design (VBID) benefit that is
only available on certain Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
(D-SNP) in certain areas. Additionally, not all members of a plan may be
eligible for VBID benefits. Eligibility will be determined by your health plan
provider, after enrollment, based on relevant criteria such as clinical
diagnoses or participation in a disease-state management program. For Humana’s
Healthy Foods Card, all members of a D-SNP that includes the benefit would be
eligible.If you qualify, Humana’s D-SNP plan and Healthy Foods Card benefit
may be available in your area. Please visit
www.Medicare.gov; call 1-800-MEDICARE
(800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; or go to
www.Humana.com/Medicare to learn
more about Humana plans. Licensed Humana sales agents are available 8 a.m. to
8 p.m. local time, seven days a week at 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711). With these
resources, you’ll be able to confidently select a 2021 Medicare Advantage plan
that suits your specific healthcare needs. Y0040_GHHKY6REN_M
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