Medicare provides health care coverage for adults 65 or older and those with qualifying disabilities. And you might be surprised to know that Medicare Advantage plans – which are sold by private insurance companies – can offer a grocery benefit to those meeting certain qualifications.
While Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) doesn’t include a grocery benefit, Medicare Advantage plans (also known as Medicare Part C) can offer grocery benefits.
Keep in mind, however, that these benefits may not be available where you live and, in some cases, can be limited to beneficiaries who also have Medicaid or who have a qualifying chronic health condition.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 72 percent of 2024 Medicare Advantage plans include a post-hospitalization meal benefit as part of their coverage.2 Post-hospitalization meal benefits are separate from healthy groceries, and a plan that covers post-hospitalization meals might not pay for groceries.
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Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover everything Original Medicare covers, and they can offer other benefits that aren’t covered by Part A and Part B. It’s important to note these benefits aren’t available with all plans, and some or all of the plans in your area may not offer a grocery benefit.
Request a free plan quote online or call to speak with a licensed insurance agent to find out if plans where you live cover benefits such as coverage for groceries.
What is a grocery benefit?
A grocery benefit is a type of health insurance plan benefit that provides a monthly, quarterly or annual allowance for purchases of approved foods. The list of approved foods can vary from one plan to another but can include things like meats, fruits, vegetables, water and dairy products. Approved foods generally have to meet a minimum standard of nutrition.
The allowance amount will also vary from plan to plan. Individual plan rules vary. Medicare Advantage plans that offer a grocery benefit may not be available where you live.
What is a healthy food allowance?
Medicare Advantage plans with a grocery benefit typically include a pre-determined healthy food allowance that can be used to buy qualified purchases.
A healthy food allowance or prepaid healthy food card might come with use restrictions or a list of approved retailers that vary with each plan but can include large retail stores like Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger and more. Remember that a Medicare Advantage plan with a healthy food allowance may not be available where you live.
How do I find Medicare Advantage plans?
Request a free online plan comparison or call to speak with a licensed insurance agent and find out which – if any – Medicare Advantage plans available in your area include a grocery benefit. You can also read our Medicare enrollment guide for more information on when and how to enroll.
Compare plans today.
Speak with a licensed insurance agent