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Food is Medicine

Does Medicare Offer an Allowance for Groceries?

AARP·October 6, 2026
Does Medicare Offer an Allowance for Groceries?

While original Medicare does not provide a grocery allowance, certain private Medicare Advantage plans, particularly Special Needs Plans (SNPs), offer supplemental benefits for healthy food. These plans typically distribute funds via prepaid debit or flex cards, which may also cover over-the-counter medications and health-related products at participating retailers.

HNH Insight

The article clarifies that grocery allowances are a supplemental benefit specific to certain Medicare Advantage plans rather than a standard feature of original Medicare, and it highlights the use of 'flex cards' for managing these combined OTC and food benefits.

By Daria Solovieva·Read original article on AARP
Medicare Advantage
OTC benefits
grocery allowance
flex card
healthy food

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