How To Apply For Medicare Card Replacement

When Youll Receive Your Medicare Card

The timing of your Medicare card depends on your enrollment status. Below is a list of arrival times based on your status:

What If Medicare Called Me

There are very few scenarios where Medicare would call you. Even if a Medicare representative calls you, they’ll never ask for your personal information over the phone. Beware of scammers: Medicare fraud is very common. If you ever have any doubt that the person who has called you is truly from Medicare, just hang up. Then, call 1-800-MEDICARE or TTY 1-877-486-2048 to report the incident.

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

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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.

Should I Wait For My Replacement Card Before Going To The Doctor

You dont have to wait for your new Medicare insurance card. Your health care provider may already have your information on file if youve been there before. Your health care provider may be able to help you look up your Medicare number.And dont forget that you can print a temporary card from your MyMedicare.gov account.

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What If I Have Medicare Advantage

If you have Medicare Advantage, you will receive a Medicare Advantage plan ID. Just like the insurance plan card you had before Medicare. To replace your Medicare Advantage ID card, contact your insurance company. You can likely order your card online and even print a temporary copy.However, you still want to keep your Original Medicare card. You may need your card for health services and/or identification. If you drop Medicare Advantage, your Original Medicare card will become your primary health plan ID.

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.

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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:

• Medicare Advantage

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 To Order A New Medicare Card If Yours Is Lost

June 2, 2021 / 3 min read / Written by

As a Medicare beneficiary, your Medicare card is one of the most important pieces of identification you own and should be guarded carefully. It is proof that you have Medicare and is usually needed to receive Medicare-covered health services. If you need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Medicare card, applying for a new Medicare card is simple.

If you need a replacement Medicare card, you can apply through Social Security as described below.

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How Do I Replace A Lost Medicare Card

You can order a replacement Medicare card online, using the Social Security website. Youll be directed to log into your My Social Security account, where youll be able to request a new card. The card will be mailed to the address on your account within 30 days so make sure your address correct. You can also call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call Social Securitys toll-free TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.

If you need proof that you have Medicare sooner than 30 days, you can request to have a letter mailed to you within 10 days. Or, if you need proof immediately that you have Medicare for a prescription or for your doctor the site may advise you to make an appointment at a Social Security office thats open.

If you need proof of your Medicare enrollment sooner, many health care providers offices will accept a Social Security statement showing your entitlement. You should be able to print this out online. Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap insurers have their own insurance cards. Contact your insurer if you need to replace one of these cards.

Maurie Backman has been writing professionally for well over a decade, and her coverage area runs the gamut from healthcare to personal finance to career advice. Much of her writing these days revolves around retirement and its various components and challenges, including healthcare, Medicare, Social Security, and money management.

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.

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Replacing A Medicare Part D Card

As with Medicare Advantage Cards, Medicare Part D or prescription drug plan cards are administered by private plan providers. If your Medicare Part D card is lost, stolen, or damaged, youll want to contact your plan provider to get a replacement card.

If you know the name of your prescription plan provider and you know your membership number, call your provider and request a replacement card. Those who dont know the name of their prescription coverage provider can go to the pharmacy where they regularly have their prescriptions filled. The pharmacy staff will be able to help you access the insurance information that it has on file. You may have to provide your Medicare number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

In the event that you cant get the name of your provider and/or your membership number through your pharmacy, call 1-800-MEDICARE . The Medicare staff will be able to help you access your Medicare Part D plan information.

What Youll Need To Replace Your Medicare Card

Requesting a new Medicare card is a straightforward process. The documentation required to obtain the new card is much simpler than requesting a new Social Security card, for example. Essentially, the only documentation required when you request your new card is proof of identity. The method you use for requesting your card plays a role in what type of documentation is required.

If you request your card online through the Medicare.gov website, then youll simply need to log in to your account. Since you have already verified your identity when the account was created, no additional verification is required. This is one reason you should keep your account information and password secure and always stored in a safe place. Once you request the replacement, it will be mailed to your address on file with the Social Security Administration.

You can also request a new card through your my Social Security account. If you use this method, you will need to provide identification verification such as your full name, Social Security number, and address. You may even be asked additional verification questions such as your place of birth or mothers maiden name. So, the good news is that you do not have to worry about gathering lots of documentation to get a new Medicare card!

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How To Get A Medicare Card Replacement // New Lost Or Stolen

So, you have a medical appointment soon but you seem to have misplaced your Medicare card. A lost Medicare card can lead to a lot of headache. You know your healthcare provider requires you to present your health insurance card at the appointment, so how can you get a replacement Medicare card if you no longer have your original? Plus, do you even have time to get a new one before the appointment? Thankfully, requesting a Medicare replacement card is fairly simple, and there are even some things you can do if you need it quickly. If you need a card replacement, then keep reading to learn about your options.

Using Your Medicare Card

Youll need to have your Medicare card with you any time you have any medical-related visits or services. This is true even if you have Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or Medigap supplemental insurance.

Your regular doctor may make a copy of your card on your first visit so they will have it readily available on file. But pharmacies, testing labs, some doctors and other health care providers will require you to show it on each visit.

Be sure to let your doctor or other health care provider know if youve received a replacement or updated Medicare card. They will need the new information.

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How To Replace A Medicare Card Sooner Than 30 Days

There may be a time when you need a Medicare replacement card sooner than the 30 days it typically takes to arrive in the mail. For instance, you may have a doctors appointment already scheduled, or you need a prescription refilled soon.

If that is the case, Social Security or the RRB can provide a letter for you to use as temporary proof of Medicare coverage. This letter will be mailed to you in about 10 days. To request such a letter, contact Social Security or the RRB.

If you need proof of Medicare coverage immediately, go to your local Social Security office or Railroad Retirement Board office in person.

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.

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Other Ways To Replace A Medicare Card

• Visit your local Social Security office. You may use the Social Security Office Locator to find the nearest location to you.

If you are outside of the United States and need to request a replacement Medicare card, you can reach Social Security in the above ways or contact the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy. to find information on foreign country services in the area youre staying. If you are in the Philippines, you may contact the Veterans Affairs Regional Office .

What To Expect While Waiting For Your Medicare Card

In most cases, you can expect your replacement Medicare card to arrive in the mail in 30 days. However, if youve moved and your address hasnt been updated, you might not receive your card. Avoid delays and identity theft by double-checking that Medicare and the SSA or RRB have your current address.

If you need your card in the meantime, you can request a letter proving youre covered, which should arrive in the mail within 10 days. If you need your card before then and printing one at MyMedicare.gov isnt an option, you may have to go to the Social Security or Railroad Retirement office for an immediate replacement.

If you still have your old card or find it after your replacement arrives, tear up the old one so no one else can access your benefits.

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When Will I Receive My Medicare Card

Medicare eligibility begins for most people at age 65. If youre collecting Social Security benefits beforehand , youll be automatically signed up for Medicare Part A, and you should receive your Medicare card in the mail about three months prior to your 65th birthday. Meanwhile, if you qualify for Medicare because of a disability, youll get your card in the mail about three months before your 25th month of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.

If you need to sign up for Medicare yourself youll generally get your card in the mail within 30 days of enrolling.

When To Expect Your Replacement Medicare Card

Your replacement Medicare card should be mailed to the address on file in roughly 30 days. Make sure that Social Security has your most current mailing address. If you have moved recently, youll need to update your address before Social Security can send you a new card.

If you need a replacement Medicare card immediately to receive health services and cannot wait 30 days, you may also request a temporary letter as proof of Medicare entitlement. Visit your local Social Security office to make an in-person request for this letter, which should arrive in about 10 days.

Medicare information is everywhere. What is hard is knowing which information to trust. Because eHealths Medicare related content is compliant with CMS regulations, you can rest assured youre getting accurate information so you can make the right decisions for your coverage. Read more to learn about our Compliance Program.

NEW TO MEDICARE?

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Replacing Your Red White And Blue Medicare Card

Your red, white, and blue Medicare card is your ticket to services included in Original Medicarethat is, Parts A and B.

Part A covers you while:

• Youre in the hospital
• Staying in a skilled nursing facility
• Receiving home health care

Part B covers you at the:

• Doctors office
• Laboratory
• Medical supply store

Luckily, you may be able to print a new card instantly by logging into your account at MyMedicare.gov. If you dont have an account, youll need to create one using your Medicare number, date of birth, and other information.

If you dont have your Medicare number handy and dont already have a My Medicare account, you can still request a replacement card. But youll need to go through the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board , depending on which one supplies your benefits. You wont be able to print a replacement card instantly youll have to wait for it to arrive by mail, which could take several weeks.

What If My Local Office Is Closed Due To Covid

You should know that local offices are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, your only other option besides online service currently is to call. You can reach the SSA toll-free at 800-772-1213 . Some local offices are accepting appointments in some circumstances, but only when you cannot complete your request online or over the phone. If you need a replacement Medicare card immediately, then your best option is to print a copy of your card from your online Medicare account.

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