Check For Suspicious Activity
If youre not sure what happened to your Medicare card or a loved ones Medicare card, you can take some precautions to protect your identity.
The first thing you can do is monitor your accounts and check for suspicious activity.
Suspicious activity includes actions related to your credit, as well as actions related to your Medicare account. As mentioned above, checking for suspicious credit activity is especially important if you or your loved one had an old Medicare card.
Identity theft. If someone has been using your social security number to apply for credit cards or loans, you can find out by monitoring your credit activity.
You can do so with the three credit bureaus , or with an online credit monitoring service.
Medicare fraud. Even if your lost card is in the new style, a criminal could use it to acquire Medicare services.
You can check to make sure your Medicare hasnt been used for services you never received. The main way you can do so is by examining your Quarterly Medicare Summary Notice. You can also sign up for monthly email notices.
Is My Medicare Card The Only Proof Of Health Coverage I’ll Need
Your Medicare card will not indicate whether you have Medicare Advantage, a Medicare Part D drug plan, or supplemental insurance . Generally, youll get a separate card from your plan administrator for each of these plans. If you have Medicare Advantage or Medigap, its a good idea to also carry those cards with you when seeing providers in addition to your regular Medicare card.
Where Do I Get Ea Access Code
· You can also visit Medicare.gov and sign in to see your Medicare number and print an official copy of your card. If you dont have a Medicare.gov account, go to Medicare.gov and select Log In/Create Account. Then, follow the instructions. If you cant or prefer not to use the online service, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE .
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How Do You Get Your Medicare Card
Your Medicare card is mailed to you once you have enrolled in Medicare. If you are automatically enrolled, you will receive the card about three months before your 65th birthday or after your 24th month of receiving disability benefits. If you are automatically enrolled and havent received your card, you can go online to request another one.
If you arent currently receiving Social Security benefits, you may have to sign up for Medicare either online, by phone or in person at a Social Security office.
Get A New Card And Number
Tell us who your new Medicare card is for.
Select Myself, then Next.
If the new card is for you and others, you can read our online guide about getting a new Medicare card with other people.
Tell us what you want to do with your current Medicare card.
If you choose to leave your current card and youre the contact person, well assign a new contact person for the card.
Select either:
- Stay on the card, and be on 2 cards.
Then select Next.
In this example, weve chosen to leave the current Medicare card.
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Contact Social Security To Sign Up For Medicare
You can either:
Know when to sign up for Part BYou can only sign up for Part B at certain times. If you dont sign up for Part B when you turn 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty. Find out when you can sign up. How much is the Part B late enrollment penalty?
Keep Your Medicare Card Safe
Once you have your new Medicare card, you can take steps to avoid losing your card again.
Here are some tips:
Dont carry your Medicare card with you. The best way to avoid losing your Medicare card is to avoid taking it with you unless you absolutely need to.
The only time you might need your Medicare card on your person is when youre visiting a new doctors office for the first time. If you require emergency care, you can present your Medicare card a short time after being discharged.
Additionally, providers can often locate your Medicare ID number online, even when you dont have your card with you. If you get drug or health benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan, you should bring that card with you to the doctor, rather than your Medicare card.
Store your card somewhere safe. Keep your Medicare card in a safe location at home. Make sure its somewhere youll remember, as well as somewhere thats protected from moisture. You can store it in protected storage containers with other important documents.
Its also a good idea to include information about your Medicare card in your end-of-life plan. Never write down your Medicare ID number on paper, on your computer, or online. Instead, include a note about where youve stored your Medicare ID and how to access it.
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Can I Print My New Medicare Card Online
To print your Medicare card, you actually need to log in to a completely different online account at www.medicare.gov. Once logged in, you’ll see a section titled What do you want to do?. Click on Print my Medicare card. The next page will prompt you to re-enter your online password.May 25, 2021
Where Is My Medicare Number
Your Medicare number is located on your red, white, and blue Medicare card. Additionally, paperwork and documentation from the Social Security Administration and Medicare shows the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. Otherwise, you should be able to go to your local Social Security Administration or Medicare office.
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Card Activation Fee Or Issue With Card
The scammer may try to convince you to pay a fee to activate your card or fix an error they claim exists. You do not need to pay anything to activate your Medicare card. And if there is an error with your card then contact Medicare directly, do not engage in a random call from an unconfirmed person.
What Do You Need To Know About Your Medicare Card
Your red-white-and-blue paper Medicare card is similar to other health insurance cards you may have had in the past. It acts as proof that you have Medicare health insurance, and it provides the starting date of your coverage.
Did You Know?
A red-white-and-blue paper Medicare card is mailed to adults who are turning 65 and enrolled in Medicare.
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When Will My Medicare Card Arrive
As mentioned, the process of applying for Medicare can vary depending on your particular situation and how you qualify for Medicare. This will affect the timing of when your Medicare card arrives in the mail as well. If youâre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board retirement benefits when you turn 65, youâll be automatically enrolled in Medicare when you turn 65. Your Medicare card should be sent in the mail about three months before your 65th birthday. If you need to manually enroll in Medicare during your seven-month Initial Enrollment Period, the arrival of your Medicare card will depend on which month you signed up for Medicare. Your Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before your 65th birthday, includes your birthday month, and ends three months later.
If you qualify for Medicare because of disability, your Medicare card will arrive in the mail three months before your 25th month of disability benefits.
I Am Turning 65 In A Few Months And Want To Go On Medicare Will I Be Automatically Enrolled In Parts A And B Or Do I Need To Sign Up
It depends. If youre receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board at least four months before you turn 65, you do NOT need to sign up youll automatically get Part A and Part B starting the first day of the month that you turn 65. You should receive your Medicare card in the mail three months before your 65th birthday. If you are NOT receiving benefits from Social Security or the RRB at least four months before you turn 65, you will need to sign up with Social Security to get Parts A and B. To sign up to receive Parts A and B, you can enroll online with Social Security, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office.
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Getting Help With Your Other Medicare Questions
Do you have other questions about your Medicare coverage? Did you know that $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans may be available in your area?
Learn more about your Medicare Advantage coverage options and compare available plans by calling today to speak with a licensed insurance agent.
Find Medicare Advantage plans in your area
Or call 1-800-557-6059TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We accept calls 24/7!
About the author
David Levine is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has been featured in the New York Times, New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, American Heritage, U.S. News & World Report and others.
David has covered health, health insurance and health policy topics among many others since 2017. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Rochester and currently lives in Albany, New York.
MedicareAdvantage.com is a website owned and operated by TZ Insurance Solutions LLC. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC and TruBridge, Inc. represent Medicare Advantage Organizations and Prescription Drug Plans having Medicare contracts enrollment in any plan depends upon contract renewal.
Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans, please contact 1-800-MEDICARE , 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.
Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
How Can I Proactively Protect My Medicare Information
You need to treat our Medicare number and card as a credit card. When you get a new Medicare card destroy the only one. You can shred it, chop it up, or try to dispose of it in some other method. Make sure your information cannot be read on the card.
Do not return your medicare card if you receive a call from a random person who claims you need to return the old card.
Do not give out your card or your Medicare number to just anyone. If you are contacted on the phone and asked to give your Medicare information please be cautious.
Now would be a good time to mention phone scams.
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How Do You Replace Your Medicare Card
You can get a new copy of your card by logging onto your online Social Security account. If you dont have a Social Security account yet, youll have to create one to request a new card. Medicare beneficiaries can also call 1-800-772-1213 or contact their local Social Security office to receive a copy of their card.
According to the Health and Human Services Department, it can take about 30 days for your replacement card to arrive in the mail. You can also go online to your Medicare account and print a copy of your card from there until the official copy arrives.6
If you lost your Medicare card and believe that someone else might be using your number, call 1-800-MEDICARE .
How Long Does It Take To Get Proof Of Medicare
If you need to prove that you have Medicare in less than 30 days, you can request temporary proof in the form of a letter. This will typically be received within 10 days. If you need proof immediately, such as for a doctors visit or prescription, the best option is to visit your nearest Social Security office.
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What Is The Number To Call For Social Security
Social Security: 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM. If youre a TTY user, you can call 1-800-325-0778. Railroad Retirement Board : 1-877-772-5772, Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 3:30PM. If youre a TTY user, you can call 1-312-751-4701. You can also sign up online at in person.
Is The Ssa Issuing New Medicare Cards For 2021
New Medicare cards are not being sent out during 2021. Medicare cards were updated in 2018/2019. The new update included added protection of your SSN. Medicare cards no longer show your SSN. This means if your card is stolen your SSN is not at risk.
There are no other known updates for Medicare cards in 2021.
If you are contacted by phone and told that a new Medicare card is being issued do not give out your Medicare number. This is a scam. Remember Medicare will not randomly call you and request personal information, your SSN, or any payment information. Refer to the Avoid Phone Scams heading for more.
David Duford
David Duford is the owner of SSAOffices.com. He owns numerous businesses including life and Medicare agencies, dedicated to helping seniors with their insurance needs. David resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee with his wife and four chlidren.
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What Is A Medicare Flex Card
A Medicare flex card is like a debit card or credit card that is tied to a flexible spending account , health savings account , or health care reimbursement account . These cards often come pre-loaded with a certain amount of money, and you can use that money to pay for medical expenses throughout the year. In most cases, the card will be reloaded each year as long as you remain on the same insurance plan. These cards are easy to use. You simply swipe it just like a credit card at your doctors office, the pharmacy, or anywhere else you need to pay for a medically-necessary device or service. The card can be used to pay for copays, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, and many other things.
One important thing to note about these flex cards is the fact that they are not issued directly from the Medicare program. If you see anyone advertising a card claiming it comes directly from Medicare, be careful! That could be a scam. These cards are issued by private insurance companies that manage Medicare Advantage plans. You must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes a flex card benefit to qualify for a card.
Keeping Your Medicare Card Safe
Keep your Medicare card in a safe place, and dont let anyone else use it. Always have your card handy when you call Medicare with questions.
You should take your Medicare card with you when you receive any health care services or supplies. Even if you havent reached your deductible, your doctor will need your card information to submit a claim. That claim will be applied to your deductible so you can use your benefits sooner. If you receive a new Medicare card, show it to your doctors office staff so they can make a copy of the updated information.
If you misplaced or lost your card, you can get a replacement Medicare card.
To learn about Medicare plans you may be eligible for, you can:
- Contact the Medicare plan directly.
- Contact a licensed insurance agency such as Medicare Consumer Guides parent company, eHealth.
- Or enter your zip code where requested on this page to see quote.
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Visit A Social Security Office
If you or your loved one has difficulty with the online system and over the phone, or youd just rather speak to someone in person, you can go to your local SSA office.
To find an SSA office in your local area, enter your zip code on the secure Social Security Administration website: SSA.gov.
Visiting a local Social Security office might help if youre helping an elderly loved one request a new Medicare card. While you cant speak for your loved one online or over the phone, you can accompany him or her to the SSA office.
What To Know About Your Medicare Card
| Medicare will send your card in the mail along with your Welcome to Medicare packet. Click here to see a sample of the red, white, and blue Medicare card. |
| If you have Original Medicare, show your Medicare card to your health care providers when you receive services. If you have Medicare Advantage, use your plans card to get services, but keep your Medicare card in a safe place in case you go back to Original Medicare later. |
| Its a good idea to create personal, secure online accounts with both Social Security and Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service manages the Medicare program, which provides health coverage. The Social Security Administration manages Social Security which provides financial and disability assistance. The two programs are related. Log into Social Security for a replacement Medicare card or Medicare.gov to print a new card. |
| Medicare fraud is a real threat. Treat your Medicare number and card as you would a credit card, and only share your number with trusted providers. |
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Protect Your Medicare Number Like A Credit Card
Only give personal information, like your Medicare Number, to health care providers, your insurance companies or health plans , or people you trust that work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program .
Say no to scams
Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give us personal or private information. Learn more about the limited situations in which Medicare can call you.
