Does Medicare Offer a Grocery Allowance?

Summary: D-SNP and C-SNP Medicare Advantage plans may offer a grocery benefit to help individuals receive healthy foods each month. These food allowance benefit cards are not available on every plan and can vary between carriers. Estimated Read Time: 4 min

Table of Contents:

1. What is the Medicare Food Allowance Benefit?
2. Who is Eligible for Medicare Food Card?
3. Which Medicare Plans Offer a Food Allowance Card for Seniors?
4. Is the Medicare Food Allowance Card Legitimate?
5. What Can I Buy with Medicare Grocery Benefit?
6. Medicare Grocery Allowance FAQs
7. How to Apply for Medicare Food Allowance Card

A monthly grocery allowance is not a benefit provided by Original Medicare. However, some private Medicare Advantage plans may include this as an additional benefit.

A Medicare grocery benefit can help individuals with chronic conditions purchase healthy foods that may be necessary for their condition. For example, an individual with diabetes can use this food allowance to purchase healthy meal options that will regulate their blood sugar and insulin levels.

In addition to individuals with chronic conditions, this benefit can also have a huge impact on those with a low fixed monthly income. As prices at the grocery store continue to rise, it has become increasingly more difficult for individuals on a fixed income to purchase the items they need at the supermarket each month.

Below, we break down the Medicare grocery allowance, who can use it, and more.

What is the Medicare Food Allowance Benefit?

The Medicare food allowance is an additional service provided to certain eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries who are enrolled in a plan that offers the benefit. This benefit provides enrollees with a monthly budget to spend on nutritious foods.

Essentially, the Medicare food allowance benefit helps provide groceries for seniors on Medicare who qualify. Keep in mind, not all Medicare plans offer these benefits, and the limits may differ from plan to plan.

Who is Eligible for Medicare Food Card?

To be eligible for the Medicare food allowance benefit, you must be eligible for a Chronic Condition Special Needs (C-SNP) Medicare Advantage plan or a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).

C-SNP plans provide specialized benefits for individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes and congestive heart failure. D-SNP plans, on the other hand, provide specialized care for those who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

In 2024, there are 1,333 Special Needs Plans operating in the United States. This is a 4% increase from 2023. Thus, more options are available for individuals who fall into one of the special needs categories.

If you are not eligible for either plan type, you may not qualify for the Medicare grocery allowance.

Which Medicare Plans Offer a Food Allowance Card for Seniors?

Often known as the Medicare Advantage food card, this benefit is only available on certain Medicare Advantage plans in specific areas throughout the U.S. Not all Medicare Advantage plans provide this benefit and to enroll in a plan that does, you must meet certain eligibility criteria.

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not provide a food allowance benefit. So, these benefits do not come from the federal Medicare program. Additionally, Medicare Supplement plans do not provide a food allowance as these plans only supplement Original Medicare and do not provide additional services.

Is the Medicare Food Allowance Card Legitimate?

Typically, Medicare benefits only cover health-care related costs. So, a plan providing grocery benefits may sound too good to be true. So much so, that seniors may find themselves wondering “is the Medicare grocery allowance real?”

Thankfully, the Medicare grocery benefit is a real service. However, it is not available to all Medicare enrollees.

What Can I Buy with Medicare Grocery Benefit?

The Medicare grocery benefit is often referred to as the Medicare healthy food card, as you are often restricted with the type of foods you can purchase with the food allowance card. It is important to understand what you can purchase with your food allowance card, so you do not have any surprises at the checkout.

Often, the following items are covered by the Medicare grocery benefit:

• Salad kits
• Fresh or canned fruit and vegetables
• Beans
• Healthy grains
• Meats and proteins
• Dairy products
• Pantry staples (flour, sugar, seasonings)
• Water
• Nutrition shakes
• And more

If you are uncertain of the foods your plan covers, you can contact your carrier for a full list of covered items.

What is Not Covered by The Medicare Food Allowance?

Just as it is essential to understand what is covered, you should also understand what is not covered by the Medicare food allowance.

Some common grocery items that are not usually covered include:

• Chips
• Soda
• Candy
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Pet food
• Baby formula
• Baked goods
• Coffee

Medicare Grocery Allowance FAQs

Below are a few frequently asked questions regarding the Medicare grocery allowance benefit.

Do Medicare Supplement Plans Offer a Medicare Food Card?

No, Medicare Supplement plans do not offer a Medicare food card or a Medicare grocery allowance. Medicare Supplement plans do not provide any benefits outside of what is covered by Original Medicare. The purpose of these plans is to help cover your out-of-pocket costs for covered Medicare services.

Is The $900 Medicare Grocery Allowance Real?

Unfortunately, the $900 Medicare grocery allowance is not a real benefit of Original Medicare. Original Medicare does not offer any kind of assistance when it comes to groceries. However, some Medicare Advantage plans do provide a grocery benefit to their enrollees. Yet, even though the benefit is offered, it is not common for the benefit amount to be as high at $900.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Medicare and offering this benefit, you may be the victim of a scam. Please do not give away any personal information.

How Do I Use the Medicare Healthy Foods Card?

To use the Medicare healthy foods card (Medicare Advantage grocery benefit), you can simply swipe the card at check out and eligible items will be deducted from your total bill. Any amount left over will then need to be paid by you.

How Much Money Do I Get Each Month From The Medicare Grocery Benefit?

There is no way to say how much you will receive with a Medicare grocery benefit as each plan can set their own limits. Grocery limits may vary based on your location, plan you choose, or provider you enroll through.

Where Can I Use My Medicare Monthly Food Card?

Your Monthly Medicare food card can be used at a variety of grocers. Some popular grocery stores include: Walmart, Kroger, Aldi, Giant Eagle, Winn Dixie, and more.

Additionally, there may be some regional grocery stores that will accept your card depending on where you live.

Remember, each card will be accepted at different locations, so it is important to check with your carrier before using the card.

Is Social Security Giving Seniors a Grocery Allowance?

No. Social Security does not have a designated grocery allowance for seniors. Each month when you receive your Social Security check, you can allocate your funds however you see fit. However, there is not an additional check to use solely at the grocery.

How to Apply for Medicare Food Allowance Card

To apply for a Medicare food allowance card, the benefits must be available in your ZIP Code. If you enroll in a C-SNP or D-SNP plan that provides this benefit, you will automatically receive the card that includes your monthly or quarterly budget.

From there, you can utilize your benefits at any grocery retailer that accepts the card. To understand if you qualify for a D-SNP or C-SNP plan, call the number above or complete our online rate form. From there, one of our licensed agents can review your qualifications and help navigate through available plans in your area.