Does Medicare Cover Grocery Benefits? 

These days, seniors are finding it more difficult to keep up with the higher costs of living. In fact, around 5.5 million older adults are currently experiencing food insecurity. While food prices are rising globally, seniors in the United States are also faced with high medical and housing costs, transportation issues, and a fixed income that isn’t increasing enough to cover their monthly grocery expenses. 

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary who is struggling to afford groceries, you may be eligible to enroll in a federal government program that can help you buy healthy foods. Here’s a look at how Medicare plans may offer grocery benefits. 

How do you qualify for Medicare cover food allowance benefits? 

Original Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance) unfortunately don’t provide grocery or food assistance benefits to enrollees.

However, some types of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans may offer grocery allowances for those who qualify, if the provider includes these benefits in the plan. If you qualify for Medicare and Medicaid or live with certain chronic illnesses, you may be eligible to enroll in a Special Needs Plan that includes grocery benefits. Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) may offer food allowance benefits to help you buy the food you need to maintain and improve your health.

How do food allowance benefits work?

Medicare beneficiaries who have access to a grocery allowance typically get a prepaid Medicare food card (like a credit or debit card) that’s credited with a certain amount of money every month. You can use this card to pay for specific grocery items at participating stores. 

You can get detailed information about which local stores accept your food allowance card and what items you can purchase from your Medicare Advantage plan provider before you go shopping. If you have any questions, you should contact a plan representative for clarification. 

How do you qualify for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP)? 

To qualify for enrollment in a Medicare Advantage D-SNP, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. To be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet the financial restrictions for the Medicaid program in your state of residence. 
• You must live within the service area of the D-SNP you enroll in. 
• You must meet eligibility requirements set by the D-SNP insurance provider. 
• You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. 
• You must be enrolled in, or qualify for enrollment in Original Medicare Parts A and B. 

How do you qualify for a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP)?

You might qualify for a Medicare Advantage C-SNP if you meet the following criteria:

• You’re eligible for enrollment in Original Medicare Parts A and B.
• You reside in the C-SNP’s service area.
• You’ve been diagnosed with one or more chronic health conditions that are severe or disabling. These conditions can include chronic alcohol and/or drug dependence, certain autoimmune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic heart failure, dementia, diabetes, end-stage liver or renal disease, certain blood disorders, HIV/AIDS, chronic lung conditions, chronic mental health disorders, or stroke. 

How much is the Medicare grocery allowance? 

If you qualify for the Medicare grocery allowance, you might have access to a set amount per month to purchase certain food items. Your food allowance may be limited to fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain products, meat, poultry, dairy, and other healthy items. You can’t use this allowance for non-food items or alcoholic beverages. The average food allowance is between $25-$200 per month.