Thursday, April 25, 2024

Are We Getting New Medicare Cards

Don't Miss

What Will My Mbi Look Like

New Medicare Cards Are Coming

Your MBI will be a randomly generated 11 character alphanumeric number, meaning it will contain both letters and numbers. This is to make sure its completely different from your SNN. However, it will still fit in all HICN fields as both numbers are the same length.

The new Medicare card format is actually designed to cut down on confusion, which is why your MBI will not include the letters S, L, O, I, B, or Z, as they can easy to be confused with numbers 5, 1, 0, 1, 8, and 2.

How Do You Apply For A Medicare Card

You apply for your Medicare card when you first enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B or both. There are four different options for manually enrolling in Medicare.

How to Apply for a Medicare Card

  • You can apply in person at your local Social Security office.
  • Railroad workers can apply by calling the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772 .

Do You Need To Update Your Social Security Address For Medicare

This will help to protect you against identity theft and protect Medicare from fraud. Medicare will automatically mail your new card to the address you have on file with Social Security. As long as your address is up to date, theres nothing you need to do! If you need to update your address, use your personal my Social Security account.

Recommended Reading: What Is A Medicare Special Needs Plan

What If I Test Positive For Covid

If you take an at-home test and it’s positive for COVID-19, it’s recommended that you share the results with your medical provider and local health department. Methods of reporting self-tests to health departments vary wildly, though. Some have online forms, others require email and others use phone reporting. Check your local health department website for specific info on how to report a positive result.

After receiving a positive test result, you should isolate for at least five days, and longer if you’re symptomatic, according to the CDC. Though the risk of false positives from rapid tests is low, most medical experts and health officials still recommend confirming a positive at-home test with a subsequent PCR test.

For more information, here’s the latest on the federal vaccine mandate and everything you need to know about the Moderna booster shot.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

The 4 Rs Of Fighting Fraud

New Medicare Card

It is important to remember that you are the first line of defense in protecting yourself against Medicare fraud, and should make a habit of monitoring online accounts. Remember the four Rs for fighting fraud:

  • Record doctors appointments and services
  • Review claims for any you dont recognize
  • Report suspected fraud to CMS by calling 1-800-MEDICARE
  • Remember to protect your Medicare Number

Also Check: Does Costco Pharmacy Accept Medicare

Replacing Your Lost Stolen Or Damaged Card

If your Medicare card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a new card. You can do this by:

Your new card will replace your old card. Youll have the same Medicare number that you did before, but your old card will no longer be valid. Well send your new card in 3 to 4 weeks. Well send it to the address you give us.

You can use a digital copy of your Medicare card in the meantime. Read more about how to get a digital card.

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

We will never solicit your business over the phone. This is purely your option to buy and have your Medicare Card printed on plastic. Beware of anyone calling you directly and asking for your information, including bank info or Social Security number, none of which we require or would ask for.

We are not Medicare or pretend to be. We just offer a better option than a paper card. This is not mandatory, Its your choice, which we think is a great idea!

We never ask for your Social Security number nor do we require it. When you go to check out, you are directed to PayPal’s secure checkout site. There you can pay with your Paypal account, or your preferred credit or debit card. Platinum Marketing never has access to your credit card information or Social security number.

We are a very reputable company that just came up with a better idea. We are an Accredited A+ Rated business with the Better Business Bureau, with 5 Star verified reviews. We have been providing print and marketing solutions to customers across the country since 2008.

Also Check: How Often Does Medicare Pay For A1c Blood Test

New Medicare Cards Are Being Issued Heres What You Need To Know

  • Read in app

By Ann Carrns

As people across the country receive new, safer Medicare cards in the mail, advocates are warning about fraudulent callers who try to dupe people into paying money or divulging personal information.

The government is gradually replacing Medicare cards for the 60 million people covered by the federal health plan. Previously, the cards used the recipients Social Security number as his or her Medicare number, which posed a risk of identity theft. Congress mandated a change in 2015.

It took a very long time, but its in the works, Sue Greeno of the nonprofit Center for Medicare Advocacy said.

The new cards use an 11-character Medicare identifier that contains both numbers and letters, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that runs Medicare.

While the cards are safer, criminals are always alert to new ways of scamming people, said Amy Nofziger, a fraud expert with AARP. Recent calls to the groups fraud help line indicate that some people have received calls asking for a fee in order to deliver a new Medicare card, or asking for personal information before a new card can be issued.

Such calls are bogus. The card is free, Ms. Nofziger said, and will be mailed automatically.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give us personal or private information to get your new Medicare Number and card.

What should I do with my old Medicare card?

How Do I Update My Medicare Card Number

New Medicare Cards Are Coming

If not, you can update it using your personal my Social Security account. If you need to know your new Medicare Number, please visit myMedicare.gov/ account and sign in. You can see your Medicare Number and print an official copy of your card. If you dont have a myMedicare.gov/ account yet, go to create an account and follow the instructions.

Don’t Miss: When Do You Receive Medicare Card

How Do You Avoid Medicare Fraud From A Lost Or Stolen Card

Medicare fraud happens when false claims or misrepresentations of fact result in a Federal health care payment that should not have occurred. If your Medicare card is lost or stolen, someone may try to commit fraud by submitting a claim with your information to get paid for services that were never provided. The best ways to avoid fraud from a lost or stolen card are:

What Can A Scammer Do With My Medicare Number

To help prevent against identity theft, Medicare has issued new cards to recipients that have your Medicare number instead of your Social Security number on the back.

While this is a great safety precaution, your Medicare number is still directly tied to the rest of your personal information, especially if the scammer already has your name and telephone number. Because of this, offering up your Medicare number to phone scammers can result in identity theft.

You May Like: Do You Need Referrals For Medicare

How Much Do At

Rapid antigen tests are generally much cheaper than home collection tests. Costs vary from brand to brand, but kits generally run about $10 to $25 apiece, with two tests per kit.

Both Walgreens and CVS are selling Abbott’s BinaxNow and Quidel’s QuickVue tests — two of the first authorized by the Food and Drug Administration — for $24 for a pack of two. Acon’s FlowFlex rapid test is currently $10 for one test at both Walgreens and CVS. The On/Go kit of two rapid tests is currently selling for $25 on Amazon and $30 on Walmart.

Home collection tests, which require a nasal swab or saliva sample to be sent to a lab for analysis, cost much more than the rapid antigen tests and require a much longer period to get results. But the “molecular” tests are considered far more accurate than antigen tests. CVS and Walgreens are selling Labcorp’s Pixel home-collection test for $125.

Replacing Your Expired Card

How To Get A Replacement Medicare Card?

Well send you a new card about 4 to 8 weeks before your current card expires. You dont need to do anything. Well send it to the address we have for you.

Its important to tell us when you change address. If you dont and your card expires, your card will go to your previous address. Read more about how to update your Medicare details.

If you dont get your card, you can request a new one by:

You can use a digital copy of your Medicare card in the meantime. Read more about how to get a digital card.

Don’t Miss: What Is Statement Of Understanding Medicare

How Does It Work

It is very easy to get your plastic Medicare card through Platinum Marketing and Design! Simply enter your information through our secure online order form. Your Medicare card information is sent directly to our in house printer and printed onto a durable and flexible plastic card, securely packaged and sent directly to your mailing address via 1st class mail. Once your card is printed, all of your Medicare information is automatically deleted from our servers.

How Do You Keep Your Card And Information Safe

If you dont want to carry the card with you when youre not going to the doctor, you should keep it in a safe place at home, such as a locked desk drawer or a fireproof safe.

Be sure to put it back in the same place every time once youre done using it. If you forget where you put it, you may need to get a replacement card.

Before 2018, Medicare cards used a subscribers Social Security number as their ID, which led to problems of identity theft. Now that your Medicare number is no longer your SSN, its less risky to lose the card. Nonetheless, you should still be careful about giving out your Medicare number to anyone other than a doctor, pharmacist, insurer or other healthcare professional. Protect it as you do your credit cards, since con artists are always trying to get Medicare beneficiaries personal information.8

You May Like: Is Rollator Walker Covered By Medicare

Can I Replace My Medicare Card Online Yes You Can

Platinum Marketing and Design offers online ordering of professionally printed plastic Medicare Cards. The plastic card is a durable copy of your original Medicare card that you can carry with you and is happily accepted by doctors and medical professionals. This is not a replacement card per se. It is a copy of your Medicare card printed on durable plastic. You should always keep your original paper card in a safe place.

How Do I Order Free Covid

Important information about new Medicare cards

All US households can now request four free tests online at COVIDTests.gov or by calling 800-232-0233.

According to a White House statement, the US Postal Service is typically shipping within seven to 12 days of receiving an order.

In the continental US, the tests are being sent through First-Class Package Service, while shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, US territories and military addresses are being sent through Priority Mail.

You May Like: How Do I Find Medicare Number

How Do Medicare Phone Scams Work

Across the country, seniors may receive calls from scam operators who claim to represent Medicare or a different insurance provider. They usually claim that the seniorâs Medicare card has expired, prompting the release of personal information like name, address, Medicare number, or Social Security number.

From offers for free medical supplies and entitlement to refunds to attempts to verify your identity, all of these calls are examples of a scam you should run far away from.

Sharing personal information with these telephone criminals can result in identity theft, fraud, or monetary theft.

Do Medicaid And Medicare Cover The Cost Of At

Medicare was not initially included in the White House’s insurance mandate for COVID tests. But the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Feb. 3 that Medicare, which provides coverage to almost 63 million Americans, will start paying for eight home COVID tests a month in the early spring. People with Medicare who also have private health insurance can receive reimbursement from their carrier now.

This is the first time that Medicare has covered an over-the-counter test at no cost to beneficiaries, according to the CMS, but members will still need to buy their tests at a participating pharmacy or retailer.

Medicaid already covers 100% of the cost of home COVID tests, as does the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Also Check: What Is A Hmo Medicare Plan

What If Youre New To Medicare

That depends on your enrollment status.

There are certain situations that result in automatic Medicare enrollment. Examples include those turning 65 who are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits and those under 65 who have been receiving Social Security disability insurance benefits for 24 months. These individuals will receive their Medicare cards in the mail about two to three months before the effective date.

Those who are not enrolled automatically must take action to enroll in Medicare. These Medicare cards will arrive about 15 to 30 days after enrolling.

If you are requesting a replacement, this card will also arrive within a month after the request. If you need your new Medicare card more quickly, you can request a temporary letter as proof of membership, which you should receive in about 10 days. Or, you can visit the mymedicare.gov site and print a temporary card.

Highlights

If you think someone is using your you suspect someone else is using your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, contact Social Security right away.

Should I Carry My New Medicare Card In My Wallet

New Medicare cards coming soon

Regardless of your situation, you should have a Medicare Card, you should be able to put your hands on it quickly. For many of you, it should be in your wallet. If your insurance is Original Medicare + Medicare Supplement or some sort of Retiree Coverage, your Medicare needs to be billed for the services you receive.

Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Cover Accu Chek Test Strips

Medicare Scam Phone Calls That Seniors Should Avoid

While we choose to believe in the good in people, itâs always best to be cautious just in case. Seniors receiving Medicare are commonly targeted by scammers who are on the hunt to steal identities, money, or more. Medicare scam phone calls specifically ramp up during Medicare Open Enrollment, which takes place annually, October 15 â December 7.

As we approach this important time, it is vital that you are aware of what Medicare scam phone calls are out there and what to do if you receive them, so that you can better protect yourself and your loved ones.

How Do You Get Another Medicare Card

My card is lost or damaged Log into your Medicare account to print an official copy of your Medicare card. You can also call us at 1-800-MEDICARE to order a replacement card. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

My name changed Your Medicare card shows the name you have on file with Social Security. Get details from Social Security if you legally changed your name.

Protect your identity

Read Also: Does Medicare Cover Hospital Bills

New Medicare Changes For 2022

Home / FAQs / General Medicare / New Medicare Changes for 2022

Every year, changes come to Medicare. In 2022, Medicare has several new benefits and adjustments to speak of. As a beneficiary, its important to keep up with these developments. Below, well provide the information you need to know about how Medicare is different this year including how much Medicare costs in 2022.

What Do Mbis Mean For People With Medicare

Fraud Watch: What you need to know about new Medicare cards

The MBI doesn’t change Medicare benefits.

People with Medicare who belong to a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare drug plan should keep using their Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare drug plan cards like they always have when they get health care services or fill a prescription. People with Medicare will also need their MBIs when they change plans or are admitted to the hospital.

Read Also: When Do I Apply For Medicare Part B

What Information Is On Your Medicare Card

Besides your full name, your Medicare card includes your Medicare number as well as important information about the health insurance coverage to which you are entitled. This includes:2

  • Medicare numberThis is one of the most important pieces of information on your Medicare card. Its what the billing department will use when it submits for reimbursement from Medicare. Your Medicare number used to be your Social Security number , but now its a more secure, randomly generated combination of 11 numerals and capital letters. It is confidential and should only be shared with people you trust.3
  • Part AIf you have Part A, labeled HOSPITAL, you are entitled to care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, hospice care and home healthcare. The date your coverage begins is also included.4
  • Part BIf you have Part B, labeled MEDICAL, you are entitled to medical care and preventive services. Your coverage starting date for Part B is also included.5

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will receive a separate ID card. If your plan covers prescription drugs, your MA card will include that information too. You should use your MA card as your primary Medicare card, but you should still keep your Medicare card in a safe place.

Good to Know

Your Medicare number is no longer your Social Security number, but a more secure combination of letters and numbers that helps protect you from identity theft.

More articles

Popular Articles