Amazon Prime is a popular membership program that offers fast, free shipping on millions of items as well as access to streaming media content. For many seniors, especially those on a fixed income, determining if Amazon Prime is affordable is an important consideration. Medicare does not cover the cost of an Amazon Prime membership, so seniors must pay the full membership fee out of pocket. However, Amazon does offer discounted Prime membership rates for qualifying customers. Understanding Medicare coverage as well as Amazon’s discount programs can help seniors decide if Prime is right for their budget.
What is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime is a membership program that provides users with free two-day shipping on eligible items as well as other benefits for an annual membership fee. Prime members get access to Prime Video for streaming movies and TV shows, Prime Music for listening to ad-free playlists and stations, Prime Reading for accessing a rotating selection of free eBooks, Prime Gaming for free games and in-game content, Prime Wardrobe for trying on eligible clothing items before buying, Prime Photos for unlimited photo storage, and more.
The standard Amazon Prime membership costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month. For qualifying customers, Amazon offers discounted Prime memberships, including:
– Amazon Prime Student – $69 per year for college students
– Amazon Prime EBT or Medicaid – $6.99 per month for recipients of government assistance programs
– Amazon Household – Up to two adults and four teens can share a Prime membership
– Amazon Prime Military – Active-duty military get Prime for $69 per year
So how do these discounted Prime memberships apply to seniors who have Medicare? Let’s take a closer look.
Does Medicare cover Amazon Prime?
No, Original Medicare does not cover routine membership costs like Amazon Prime. Medicare is federal health insurance for seniors 65 and older and younger adults with disabilities. It covers medically necessary healthcare like doctor visits, hospitalizations, and prescription drugs. Non-medical quality of life memberships are not covered by Medicare.
Medicare has different parts that cover different services:
– Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays.
– Medicare Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services.
– Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs.
– Medicare Advantage (Part C) combines Parts A, B, and usually D into managed care plans.
But none of these parts cover supplemental memberships like Amazon Prime. Seniors would need to pay the Prime membership fee entirely out of pocket. Medicare does not cover routine expenses for internet service, entertainment, transportation, food delivery, or other services that Amazon Prime provides access to.
There are some Medicare Advantage plans that offer allowances for health and wellness benefits that could potentially be put toward a Prime membership. But this is not very common. Overall, Original Medicare does not directly cover or help pay for Amazon Prime or similar memberships.
Amazon Prime discounts for seniors
Although Medicare does not cover Amazon Prime, there are two ways seniors may be able to get Prime at a discounted rate:
1. **Amazon Prime with EBT or Medicaid:** Seniors who have Medicaid can qualify for an Amazon Prime subscription for $6.99 per month, a significant savings compared to the regular $14.99 monthly rate. To get this discount, seniors must have a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or Medicaid card. EBT includes food assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
2. **Amazon Household:** If seniors live in a multi-generational household with other adult family members, they may be able to share an Amazon Prime membership using the Amazon Household program. This allows up to two adults and four teens to share Prime shipping benefits, video streaming, music, and more. The primary Prime account holder pays either the annual or monthly rate, and up to five members of their household can share those benefits. This can help cut costs for a senior who may not use Prime often themselves but has family members who would benefit from sharing an account.
Beyond these two discount options, there are no other special pricing programs for Amazon Prime for Medicare beneficiaries or older adults. Regular age-related senior discounts do not apply to Prime membership rates. So unless they qualify for Medicaid/EBT rates or live with Prime user family members, most seniors on Medicare would need to pay the standard Prime membership rate.
Comparing Amazon Prime costs for seniors
Here is a table comparing the regular Amazon Prime price to discounted rates for seniors:
Membership Type | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
Regular Amazon Prime | $139 | $14.99 |
Prime with EBT/Medicaid | N/A | $6.99 |
Prime Household Member | $139 split cost | $14.99 split cost |
As shown, qualifying for EBT/Medicaid rates or sharing a Household plan can save seniors between $7 to over $130 per year compared to paying for Prime individually at the standard rate.
Using Prime benefits on a budget
For seniors who want to maximize their Prime membership without overspending, here are some tips:
– Use Prime Day and Lightning deals for discounts on essential items.
– Borrow free ebooks rather than purchasing them.
– Listen to Prime Music to avoid paying for streaming subscriptions.
– Share membership with family instead of paying for multiple accounts.
– Set Watchlist alerts to get notifications on price drops for desired items.
– Avoid impulse purchases and only buy essentials with 2-day shipping.
– Compare prices with other retailers, even with Prime shipping some items may be cheaper elsewhere.
– Take advantage of 5% cash back with the Prime Visa card on Amazon purchases.
– Sign up for monthly Prime membership rather than annual to test it out before committing.
Following these tips can help seniors on a budget pay for Prime without breaking the bank. The key is using Prime for necessities, price comparing, and not overspending on optional purchases just because of the 2-day shipping perk.
Should seniors on Medicare get Amazon Prime?
Here are some pros and cons for seniors on Medicare deciding whether or not to pay for an Amazon Prime membership:
**Pros:**
– Free 2-day shipping makes shopping more convenient.
– Access to on-demand entertainment via Prime Video and Music.
– Ability to have groceries and household essentials delivered.
– Early access to lightning deals and savings on Prime Day.
– Share benefits with family by using Amazon Household.
– Discounted rate of $6.99/month available for EBT/Medicaid recipients.
**Cons:**
– The standard $139 annual fee is expensive for seniors on a limited income.
– Not all items qualify for 2-day shipping with Prime.
– Entertainment content requires internet and sometimes added subscription fees.
– Impulse shopping and overspending is easier with free quick shipping.
– Discounts limited for non-EBT/Medicaid seniors.
– Household member sharing requires tech-savvy setup.
Overall, Amazon Prime can be worth it for seniors who do a lot of online shopping, want access to entertainment, and qualify for discounted rates. But for seniors on a strict budget, the standard membership may not be feasible. Assessing usage and costs is key in determining if it fits within a senior’s Medicare budget.
Other Amazon Prime considerations for seniors
Aside from pricing, there are some other important things for Medicare beneficiaries to know about Amazon Prime:
– **Cancellation policy** – Seniors can cancel anytime but may have to wait until the end of their paid membership year for refunds. Monthly plans can be cancelled anytime with no wait.
– **Sales tax** – Prime items are subject to state sales tax which adds to costs. Sales tax varies based on location.
– **Shipping speeds** – Two-day shipping is not guaranteed for every item or to every address. Delivery times can be longer in remote regions.
– **Returns** – Items can be returned within 30 days for refund. Returns are free for some items but others require paying return shipping.
– **Smartphone app** – The Prime app helps manage membership and access deals. A smartphone, tablet or computer is required.
– **Limited sharing** – Amazon Household allows 2 adults and 4 teens but not broader family sharing of Prime benefits.
Knowing these other Prime details can prevent seniors from mistakenly overpaying or having issues like long shipping times, returns, and cancellation confusion if they do sign up.
Alternatives to Amazon Prime for seniors
If the costs do not fit within their Medicare budgets, below are some alternatives seniors could consider instead of paying for an Amazon Prime membership:
– **Walmart+** – Walmart’s delivery membership with free 2-day shipping on many items for $98 per year or $12.95 monthly.
– **Target RedCard** – Gives 5% discounts on all Target purchases with free standard shipping. The card has no annual fee.
– **Online shopping without memberships** – Place small orders with regular retailers’ standard shipping rates to avoid bulk impulse purchases.
– **Curbside pickup** – Many retailers like Walmart, Target, drugstores and grocery stores offer free curbside pickup on orders placed online.
– **Entertainment subscriptions** – Subscribe only to the most used services like Netflix or Hulu rather than bundled Prime Video.
– **Local libraries** – Borrow books, movies, and music for free from town libraries and returning when done to avoid purchases.
– **File sharing** – Share subscription logins with family members to access entertainment services without each paying individually.
– **Public transportation** – Use buses, trains, and other public transit when possible instead of relying on Prime delivery services.
With creative shopping habits, budgeting vigilantly, and using community resources, seniors can often find alternatives to Amazon Prime that fit better within limited Medicare budgets.
Key takeaways on Amazon Prime for seniors
In summary, here are the key points for seniors considering Amazon Prime:
– Medicare does not cover routine membership costs like Amazon Prime.
– Discounted Prime rates are available for $6.99/month with EBT/Medicaid or shared with Household.
– Prime provides convenient shopping and entertainment access for a $139 annual fee.
– Avoid overspending on unnecessary items just to use Prime shipping.
– Compare all costs to your fixed Medicare income before committing.
– Alternatives like Walmart+, Target, libraries, and public transit can substitute Prime benefits.
The bottom line is that Amazon Prime can be a useful service for seniors but is not covered by Medicare. Understanding the costs, discounts available, and alternatives allows older adults to determine if it fits affordably within their retirement budget.
Conclusion
Amazon Prime provides a convenient way for seniors to have access to quick shipping, entertainment, discounts, and other benefits. But with its standard $139 annual membership fee, Prime can be costly for retirees living on limited, fixed incomes. While Medicare does not cover routine membership fees, there are some discounted Prime options seniors can use to lower costs. Qualifying for an EBT/Medicaid monthly rate of $6.99 per month or sharing a Prime Household membership with others in their family are two ways seniors may be able to make Prime more affordable.
Comparing all costs, looking for deals, using Prime perks judiciously, and considering free alternatives like public libraries and transportation can help seniors decide if Amazon Prime fits into their Medicare budgets or not. Overall, Prime can be worth it for seniors who will use it frequently and those who qualify for lower pricing. But for seniors without discounts who are on tight budgets, paying each year for Prime may not be feasible. Understanding all the costs, discounts, and alternatives allows older adults to determine if Prime membership is a smart spending choice within the context of their fixed Medicare incomes.