How To Replace A Stolen Or Lost Medicare Card
Your Medicare card is the key to receiving Original Medicare benefits. But what happens when you lose or damage your card? Youll need to replace it so you can still access your benefits when you need them.
Replacing your card doesnt have to be a hassle, but it might take time. Dont wait until you need your card or the next Medicare Open Enrollment Period to start the process.
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.
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.
You May Like: Does Stanford Hospital Accept Medicare
What Is My Medicare Number
Your Medicare number is a unique-to-you number. It is not the same as your Social Security number. You can find your Medicare number on your Medicare card just below your name. You can also find your card number by logging into your MyMedicare.gov account. Remember: protect your Medicare number. Only give it to your health care professionals. Beware of giving out your number over the phone or to someone you dont know.
Questionable Charges On Your Medicare Account
The scammer may put questionable charges on your Medicare account. This is a way they use to steal money.
Check your Medicare Summary Notice or MSN for short to verify there are no fake charges on your account. If your card number is compromised contact Medicare immediately to inform them to refuse the false charges. You can also report them to a fraud hotline at 800-HHS-TIPS
Basically, a scammers main goal is to get money from you or someone else. They will use your personal information as a tool to do this. Protect yourself by being cautious and familiarizing yourself with common scams.
Don’t Miss: When Will I Get Medicare
How To Replace A Lost Stolen Or Damaged Medicare Card
If your Medicare card is lost, stolen or becomes damaged or worn out, you need to replace it as soon as possible. There are several ways to do this:
- If you have Original Medicare, you can request a new card by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE . TTY users call 1-877-486-2048.
- If you worked for a railroad, you can call the Railroad Retirement Board at 877-772-5772 , Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- You can call Social Security at 800-772-1213 , Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- You can also request a replacement card online at the Social Security website. You will need to create a My Social Security account to sign in if you dont already have one. Once you have logged in, select the Replacement documents tab, and then select Mail my replacement Medicare card.
- You can request a new card in person at your local Social Security office. New Medicare cards typically arrive in the mail about 30 days after you place your request.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare , you should contact your plan provider for a new card. You can follow the instructions from that providers customer service line or website to request a replacement card.
Replacing Your Expired 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: Does Medicare Pay For Stem Cell Treatment
Find A $0 Premium Medicare Advantage Plan Today
For California residents, CA-Do Not Sell My Personal Info, .
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.
The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Callers will be directed to a licensed insurance agent with TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, TruBridge, Inc. and/or a third-party partner who can provide more information about Medicare Advantage Plans offered by one or several Medicare-contracted carrier. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, TruBridge, Inc., and the licensed sales agents that may call you are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
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.
Tips To Safeguard Your Medicare Card
Safeguarding a Medicare card involves keeping the physical card in good condition and protecting all Medicare information to prevent identity theft.
Medicare cards are made from paper, which means that they may fray or fade over time. To protect the card and keep the information readable, some people may want to laminate it.
However, the Social Security Administration cautions against laminating the card, as this may interfere with its security features.
To prevent damage to the card and have it visible, the Social Security Administration recommends using a plastic cardholder sleeve to store it.
Individuals who have Medicare should also consider photocopying their card. It may be helpful to have important numbers readily available, including the Medicare phone number and the contact details for any relevant Medicare Advantage or Medigap providers.
People who make a copy of their Medicare card should keep it in a safe location to protect against identity theft. A lockbox or safe deposit box provides a secure location for important documents.
It is also useful to keep the physical card in a place that is easily accessible but safe from theft.
Read Also: Is Labcorp Covered By Medicare
Replacing Your Other Medicare Cards
In addition to your red, white, and blue Medicare card, you may have other Medicare cards if you have the following plans:
Private insurance companies, not the government, provide these plans, so youll need to contact the plan provider directly for a replacement card.
Look for any past bills or other plan documents to find a website or phone number. If you cant find the contact information of your plan provider, call 1-800-MEDICARE instead. The representatives there can point you in the right direction.
If you dont have any of these plans but want to learn more, read our Ultimate Medicare Guide or give us a call. Adding coverage could save you money on health care.
How Do I Get A New Medicare Card
Contributing expert: Kelly Blackwell, Certified Senior Advisor®Updated: September 16, 2021Replace your Medicare card and avoid Medicare fraud if your card is lost or stolen.
Kelly Blackwell
Kelly Blackwell is a Certified Senior Advisor ®. She has been a healthcare professional for over 30 years, with experience working as a bedside nurse and as a Clinical Manager. She has a passion for educating, assisting and advising seniors throughout the healthcare process.
Your Medicare card shows your name, a unique number, and your hospital and medical coverage and start dates. If youve lost your card, you could have trouble getting services from health care providers and put yourself at risk of Medicare fraud. You can get a replacement Medicare card by logging in to your Social Security or Medicare account or calling for help.
You May Like: Should I Get Medicare Supplemental Insurance
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 youre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board retirement benefits when you turn 65, youll 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.
How To Get Or Replace Your Medicare Card
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list ofour partnersandhere’s how we make money.
When you need to get a Medicare card or replace one, you can easily request it online or by phone. Whether youre enrolling in Medicare for the first time or replacing a lost, stolen or damaged card, obtaining the traditional red, white and blue Medicare card shouldn’t be an obstacle to receiving and paying for health care.
The card includes your name and Medicare number, and if you’re an Original Medicare beneficiary, it will show if you have Part A , Part B or both. Youll use this card to get your Medicare-covered services. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan, youll get a card from the provider when you enroll.
Read Also: Is It Mandatory To Have Medicare Part D
What Documents Do You Need For A Social Security Card
When applying for a new Social Security card, there are several documents you’ll need. The items you need vary depending on whether you:
- Are an adult or child
- Need an original, replacement, or corrected card
- Are U.S. born citizen, foreign born U.S. citizen, or noncitizen
All documents you use or submit must be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies or notarized copies are not accepted.
For our purposes, we’re looking at the required documents for an adult, U.S. born citizen. You can find requirements for your specific scenario on Social Security’s website.
Write Your Insurance Company
You can get in touch with your insurance company by writing a letter to request a new insurance card. Here are the mailing addresses for some of the most common Medicare Advantage companies:
- Aetna: Aetna Inc., P.O. Box 14088, Lexington, KY 40512
- BlueCross BlueShield: You must contact member services online or by phone.
- Cigna: Cigna Corporate Headquarters, 900 Cottage Grove Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
- Kaiser Permanente: Kaiser Permanente has several locations around the country. You can find addresses for each area here.
Recommended Reading: Can You Get Medicare If You Work Full Time
How Do I Get A Replacement Medicare Card
Your Medicare card is proof of your Medicare insurance. If your Medicare card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can request a replacement with your personal mySocial Security account.
If you dont already have an account, you can create one online. Go to .
Once you are logged in to your account, select the “Replacement Documents” tab. Then select Mail my replacement Medicare card.
Your Medicare card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days at the address on file with Social Security so be sure to make sure your mailing address is correct before completing the request.
If you need to know your new Medicare number now, you have some options. In your personal mySocial Security account, you can get your Benefit Verification Letter, which includes your Medicare number. 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 .
How To Replace Private Medicare Plan Cards
Those who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans, Medicare Supplement plans or other types of Medicare plans may receive separate insurance cards for those.
To replace those cards, contact your Medicare plan carrier directly and ask how to get a replacement card from your insurance company.
Don’t Miss: Is Medicare A Form Of Socialism
Replacing Your Medicare Card Through The Ssa
If you first applied for Medicare through the Social Security Administration, thats who can replace your Medicare card.
The quickest way to replace your card is through the SSA website. Again, youll need to log in or create an account, but you dont need your Medicare number to do sojust your Social Security number, date of birth, and name as it appears on your Social Security card.
Alternatively, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 , between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m, Monday through Friday. Or you can visit your nearest SSA office.
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:
- calling the Medicare program.
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.
Also Check: When You Are On Medicare Do You Need Supplemental Insurance
Replacing A Stolen Original Medicare Card
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, if your Original Medicare card is stolen, lost, or destroyed, you should , select the Replacement Documents tab, and choose the Mail my replacement Medicare Card option.
Upon receiving your request, your new Medicare card will be mailed to the address the agency has on file for you and you can expect to receive it in approximately 30 days. If you dont have an online account or wish to speak with someone at Medicare directly, you can call them at 772-1213 . Representatives are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Another option is to contact your local Social Security Office and request a new card through them. If youre unsure how to do that, the Social Security Administration has a free online search you can use to identify your local office. Once you enter your zip code, the site will give you the information for the one in your area. This includes providing its address, phone number, and hours of operation.
Also, after making your request for a new Medicare card, MyMedicare.gov notes that you can check on its status by signing into your account and clicking on the Order History tab. This will tell you where your replacement card is in the process.
If you need proof that you have Medicare before it arrives, contact your local RRB office and they can give that to you.
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 .
You May Like: How Much Does Humira Cost With Medicare
How Do I Get A Medicare Replacement Card
Follow these steps if you have lost your Medicare card and need to order a replacement.
