Five Things To Know About Your Medicare Card
Don’t forget to carry your Medicare card with you when youre away from home. Let your doctor, hospital, or other health care provider see your card when you need hospital, medical or other health services. Here are five things to know about your Medicare card:
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How To Protect Your Medicare Card
A plastic ID card holder sleeve can be used to store and protect your Medicare card. Its an inexpensive solution to keep your card visible, clean, and in good shape. You might also consider carrying a photocopy of your Medicare card in your wallet instead of taking your original card with you when visiting your health care provider.
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Your New Brunswick Medicare Card
In order to avoid fraudulent use of duplicate cards as well as support security features, New Brunswick, like many other Canadian provinces, issues one Medicare card per individual.
In the case of a minor child, the card is to be entrusted to the childâs legal parent or guardian.
The goal of the Medicare card is solely to enable eligible New Brunswick residents to obtain insured services. Please carry your signed card with you at all times. A parent or guardian should sign the card for dependent minor children. You must present your signed card to the physician and/or hospital each time you access insured services.
New Brunswick Medicare has the right to terminate your coverage or adjust your expiry date at any time.
A physician who provides a service to an individual who does not have a valid NB Medicare card has the right to bill the individual/parent/legal guardian.
Various government and non-government agencies use the Medicare number for identification purposes or will request it for proof of identification. Your NB Medicare card is valuable but is not a legal piece of identification. We do not encourage the use of the card for other than its intended purpose, which is coverage of insured health care benefits for the named individual under the plan.
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 .
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Carrying Your Medicare Card Safely
Everyone with health insurance needs some kind of proof that they are covered. Typically, this involves a healthcare card that displays some personal information that doctor’s offices and hospitals will use. While insurance cards are largely considered to be a convenient way to access healthcare benefits, there are some potential risks for seniors who carry Medicare cards. Some of the information printed on Medicare cards could potentially leave holders open to identity theft.
Your Medicare cardOnce you are enrolled in Medicare, you will receive a Medicare card in the mail. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled for Medicare and your card will be mailed to you three months before your 65th birthday.
If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, the card will be red, white and blue. With Medicare Advantage Plans, there is a different card issued that displays additional benefits. Both cards need to be brought to doctor visits and pharmacies when picking up prescription medicines.
Lost or stolen Medicare cardsIf you lose your Medicare card or suspect it has been stolen, it is important to report the loss to the Social Security Administration immediately. If your card has been stolen, beware of Medicare fraud. Check your Medicare summary notices for charges of services you did not receive or doctor visits you did not request.
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Typically, your Medicare card will arrive in the mail within 30 days of enrollment. Those who are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board retirement benefits and are automatically enrolled in Medicare at age 65 will usually get their card a few months before their 65th birthday.
Those who you qualify for Medicare because of disability will get their Medicare card in the mail three months before their 25th month of disability benefits.
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Can I Get A Plastic Medicare Card Yes You Can
There are no laws or government regulations that prevent you from making a copy of your Medicare card. In fact, Medicare recommends that you make a copy to carry with you, so you can keep your original Medicare card tucked safely away. So, if you are going to make a copy of your Medicare card anyway, why not make it plastic so it never tears, fades, or creases? Platinum Marketing And Design can help! We are the home of the plastic Medicare card!
We encouage you to be wary. There are scammers out there who will call you offering plastic Medicare cards. Platinum Marketing And Design will never call you to solicit your business. The only way you can get a plastic Medicare card is through our secure online order form.
If You Do Not Qualify For Automatic Enrollment Youll Get Your Medicare Id Card Once You Complete Enrolling In Original Medicare Youll Need To Enroll Yourself If Any Of The Below Are True For You
- If you are turning 65 and are not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Coverage usually begins the first day of your birthday month. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, coverage usually starts the month prior.
- If you have End-Stage Renal Disease Permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant., you will receive your Medicare ID card once you complete your Original Medicare enrollment. Coverage starts the first month your disability begins.
- If you live in Puerto Rico and receive social security benefits from Railroad Retirement Benefits, you are automatically eligible for Part A. If you also want Part B, you need to apply for it. You will receive your new Medicare ID card once you complete your Part B enrollment. Fill out this Application for Enrollment in Part B.
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Is This A Scam
This is a question we get asked all of the time. And while we certainly understand your concern, this is not a scam. Platinum Marketing and Design has been providing print marketing services for businesses and individuals for more than a decade, we are an A+ accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and have thousands of satisfied customers.
How Do I Replace My Medicare Card
Fortunately, if your Medicare card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, replacing your Medicare card is easy. You can call the United States Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 , Monday Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or contact your local Social Security office. You can also get a replacement card by using your online my Social Security account. If you dont have an account, you can create one on the website. When you log in, select the Replacement Documents tab and then select Mail my replacement Medicare Card. You will receive your Medicare card in the mail within 30 days.
For free, accurate comparisons of Medicare Advantage , Medicare Supplement , and Medicare Prescription Drug plans, get an online quote at Medicare.org. Or call TTY 711 to get answers and guidance over the phone from an experienced licensed sales agent. Standard call center hours of operation are Monday Friday 5:00 am to 6:00 pm PT. During the Annual Enrollment Period , extended hours are Monday Saturday 5:00 am to 8:00 pm PT.
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Medicare Cards & Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers
To improve security and comply with the Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, declared its intention to begin issuing Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers on Medicare cards.
The Social Security Number Removal Initiative minimizes the burdens that the transition places on beneficiaries. Although the Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers format shares the HICNs 11-character standard, CMS intends for it to be easily distinguishable from the old identifiers and easy to read.
Will My Healthcare Provider Accept It
Yes, in fact we have found that most providers like the plastic Medicare cards better! Plastic Medicare cards do not fade, crease, or wrinkle, making them easier to photocopy, and the information on the card is easier to read. In addition, plastic cards help ensure that Medicare beneficiaries always have their Medicare information with them when seeking care.
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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.
Find The Best Insurance To Suit Your Needs
While there are several advantages and disadvantages to keeping your insurance card on your person that you must consider, theres no question when it comes to finding the best information and rates.
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The #1 Reason To Stop Carrying Your Medicare Card
Your Social Security card is one of the five things that you shouldnt keep in your wallet or purse, but what about your Medicare card? Your number is on there as well!
To reduce the risk of identity theft if the card is stolen, one expert is recommending that you leave it at home.
Read more: How to protect your Social Security number after a hack
Take These Cards Out Of Your Wallet Right Now
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Experts dont always agree on what you absolutely must keep in your wallet, but theres wide agreement on cards that do not belong there. It might be simplest to start the task by taking everything out and returning only those things you actually need.
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How Do I Get My Card In The First Place
If you automatically enroll in Medicare, you will get your Medicare card in the mail three months before your 65th birthday. If you receive disability benefits, the card will come on the 25th month after you started receiving your benefits. You need your Medicare card to receive Medicare coverage.
Your Medicare card contains all of the information that you need to receive coverage when you visit your health care provider. It functions as an ID card, as well as an explanation of what coverage you have. The terms used on the card are hospital for Medicare Part A and medical for Medicare Part B. These two parts together are referred to as Original Medicare.
If you have other forms of Medicare health insurance, like Part D prescription drug plan, a Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medicare Supplement Plan, this coverage wont be represented on your card. You will likely receive a separate card from the private insurance companies that you will use for this coverage.
All of the basic information about your Medicare card is available online at medicare.gov.
Question: Do I Need To Carry My Medicare Card I Cant Find It How Do I Get A New One
Question: Do I need to carry my Medicare Card? I cant find it. How do I get a new one?
Answer: Your question came at the perfect time!
During 2018 and early 2019 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Social Security Administration worked very hard to mail out new Medicare cards to everyone who had Medicare. During those 18 months, we spent a fair amount of time talking about when to expect the new cards, and how to use them.
I regularly meet with individuals who cant find their Medicare Card. Maybe they think it is in their wallet and then when they go to look for it, it isnt there. Sometimes they know that it is home in the safe or desk or drawer, but then cant find it. Other times they have no idea where it is or when they had last seen it.
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. Almost every time we see a provider now, they ask to see some sort of picture ID and our insurance cards. In these situations, you obviously need your Medicare Card with you.
So lets finally get to your question How do you get a new Medicare Card?
For almost everything Medicare related I would refer you to the www.medicare.govwebsite or their 1-800 number.
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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
What Can You Do To Protect Yourself And Prevent Medicare Fraud
The most important thing you can do is guard your Medicare card like its a credit card. Dont give your Medicare card or Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.
You can also:
- Keep your Medicare Number to yourself. If you get a call from people promising you things if you give them your Medicare Number dont do it. This is a common Medicare scam.
- Refuse any offer of money or gifts for free medical care. A common ploy of identity thieves is to say they can send you your free gift right away they just need your Medicare Number.
- Use a calendar to record all of your doctors appointments and any tests you get. When you check your Medicare statements, look out for any items and services listed and other details that dont look correct. If you see a charge or service that you think is incorrect and you know the provider, call their office and ask about it.
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What To Know About Your New Card
You dont need to do anything to get your card. Medicare wont call you to ask for personal or financial information, you dont have to pay get a new card, and your benefits wont change. Just make sure Medicare has your current mailing address. If it needs to be updated, contact Social Security, which administers the Medicare program. You can update it online by creating an online account, or you can call 800-772-1213. You can also go to a Social Security field office. You can look up your local branch here.
You may not get your card right away. Delivery of the new cards is rolling out over the next year. Go here to see when to expect the card mailings in your area. You can also check out this page Medicare created with details on the new cards.
You can use your current card till 2020. There is a transition period during which you can use either your new Medicare card or your old card at doctors offices and hospitals. Both should work until Dec. 31, 2019. After that, shred your old carddont just put it in the trash. The new card is smaller, the size of a credit card, so it fits in your wallet more easily. Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, only the new card will be usable.
