How To Replace A Lost Card
If your Medicare card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can ask for a replacement by using your online my Social Security account, even if you dont yet receive Social Security benefits. If dont already have a Social Security on-line 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.
How Do You Get Another Medicare Card
My card is lost or damaged Log into your secure Medicare account to print or order an official copy of your Medicare card. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to order a replacement card to be sent in the mail. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
If you get Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you can call 1-877-772-5772 to get a replacement card. TTY users can call 1-312-751-4701.
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
Is There A Medicare Card
Everyone who enrolls in Medicare receives a red, white, and blue Medicare card. This card lists your name and the dates that your Original Medicare hospital insurance and medical insurance began. It will also show your Medicare number, which serves as an identification number in the Medicare system.
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Is Medicare Sending Out New Medicare Cards
Medicare isn’t issuing new cards and Medicare employees don’t contact participants through unsolicited calls, emails, or visits. Medicare communicates with beneficiaries via mail. Scammers falsely allege Medicare is issuing new plastic or metal Medicare cards or black and white Covid-19 Medicare cards.
Your New Medicare Card
What does the new Medicare Card look like?
It has your:
- Dates that Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B coverage started
It doesnt have your:
When will I get my new Medicare card?
- Medicare starts mailing new cards in April 2018
- Everyone who had Medicare before April 2018 will get a new card with instructions in the mail
- Mailing will take several months
- If you retired from a railroad, the Railroad Retirement Board will mail you your new card
Only your Medicare card and number are changing.
- Your Medicare benefits stay the same
- Your Social Security Number stays the same
- Any enrollments in Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription plans, and Medigap policies dont changekeep those plan cards
When do I start using my new Medicare Card?
- Start using your new card as soon as you get it
- Beginning January 1, 2020, you can only use the new Medicare card and new number
What if I belong to a Medicare health plan or a Medicare drug plan?
- Youll still get a new Medicare card
- Be sure to destroy your old red, white, and blue Medicare card, but dont destroy your plans card
- You should continue to use your health or drug plans card when you get health care or fill a prescription
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What Color Is The New Medicare Card
Adults reaching 65 and enrolled in Medicare get a red, white, and blue paper Medicare card in the mail. It’s called the “Medigap” card because it covers parts of the cost of doctor visits, medicines, and other health services not covered by Original Medicare .
Those cards are required by law to be issued in colors that represent each state. So in most cases, they’re red for Alaska, white for Hawaii, and blue for California. However, since Washington and Oregon don’t have their own colors specified by law, their cards are colored red at random.
The only other states with non-colorized Medigap cards are New York and Wisconsin. They use black as their color instead.
Black was chosen to represent the absence of coverage. Since there’s no color associated with this option, it can be used for all states except Alaska and Hawaii where red is used for people who aren’t covered by any other part of the program.
As you can see, Medigap cards follow the same rules as Social Security numbers in terms of being able to be colored in any way we want.
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.
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Can I Print A Replacement Medicare Card
If your red, white, and blue Original Medicare card is lost or stolen, or if it is too faded or damaged to use, you can replace it by calling 1-800-MEDICARE . By entering into your mymedicare.gov account, you may also request or print a new card. Replaced cards will be sent to the address listed in mymedicare.gov.
In addition, any Medicare card that has been reported as lost or stolen will be replaced without charge. To report a lost or stolen card, call 1-800-MEDICARE . You must call within 60 days of receiving your card statement indicating that it has been lost or stolen. After this time, you can only request a new card.
You cannot print a new Medicare card at an office location for which you do not have an appointment. If you lose or steal your card, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE to request a new one.
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 .
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What Is The Yellow Medicare Card
A Yellow Medicare Reciprocal Health Care Card is issued to visitors to Australia who are residents of countries with which Australia has reciprocal health care agreements. Their access to Medicare services has time limitations and does not cover treatment as a private patient in a public or private hospital.
Issue Of Medicare Cards
Medicare cards are issued by Medicare Australia to individuals and their families. A maximum of five names can be included on a card. Families with more than five members will have additional names listed on additional cards, while retaining the same card number. Children are listed on their parent’s card â a family may be all on one card, or a child may be listed on one parent’s card, or both parents’ cards, or even in some cases, alone on their own card if their name exceeds a specific number of letters. Children who are wards of the state will be listed on a card with the Department of Children’s Services as cardholder. Medicare cards may be used to show a relationship when parents have different surnames to their children.
Individual Medicare cards are generally only issued to people over 15. This is a Medicare Australia policy and there are exceptions for people at boarding schools or away from home. Significantly, this policy may detract from the right of a mature minor to gain confidential medical care. Using their family’s Medicare card could potentially notify their parents of the consultation, but only if the parents request information about their child’s medical claims and for a person to request information about medical claims for people 14 years and over they must have the permission of that person they are requesting the information for.
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You May Or May Not Have Already Received Your Card
The government is currently about half way through sending out the new Medicare cards.
So, if your Social Security contact information is up to date, you should not have any problems receiving the card.
Dont worry if your neighbor has received their card and you have not.
If you are concerned, you can check the Medicare.gov website to see where cards have been mailed, and you can enter your email to be notified when mailings begin in your state.
Iowa Medicare Beneficiaries Targeted By Medicare Card Scams
Submitted on Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Des Moines – Iowa seniors and Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to be aware of current Medicare card scams in our state. To learn more about Medicare scams impacting Iowans, register for our live event on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at .
Its important for Iowans to protect their Medicare number and not give it to unknown callers, SHIIP/SMP Director Kristin Griffith said. Medicare will rarely contact you by phone, and if so, you can also hang up and call Medicare back to confirm that the call is legitimate and not a scam.
Medicare scams include the following:
If you suspect Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse contact Iowa SHIIP/Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-351-4664 or www.smp.iowa.gov.
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Why Are You Not Supposed To Laminate Your Medicare Card
The Social Security department advises against card lamination in general because the card may have built-in security features that could be compromised by lamination. As an alternative, for a few dollars at your local business supply store, you can purchase a plastic ID card holder to protect your Medicare card.
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When Do I Get My Medicare Card In The Mail
Your Medicare card verifies that you are covered by Medicare health insurance. It is important to keep your card on you at all times, as it may be needed to verify your eligibility for services.
People who opt out of Medicare can still receive their Medicare card, but they will have to pay for it themselves. The cost of the card is included as part of the premium for an individual policy or prescription drug coverage plan.
In some cases, you may be given a choice between receiving your card in the mail and paying for it yourself. If this is the case, you should call your insurance company immediately to determine your options.
You must apply for your Medicare card within seven days of turning 65. If you fail to do so, you will not be able to claim any benefits under Medicare until after you reapply.
People who become disabled may be eligible for a delay in receiving their Medicare card. To be granted a delay, you must file an application with Social Security. The agency will consider whether you are still disabled even if you have tried to return to work and cannot. If you are found eligible for a delay, you will receive your card once it is issued by Social Security.
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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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Is Medicare Free At Age 65
You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if: You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
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.
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Information About The New Medicare Cards:
Medicare is has begun mailing the NEW Medicare cards. The new cards will have a new, unique Medicare Number instead of a Social Security Number. Make sure your mailing address is up-to-date. If you need to update your address, visit or 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1- 800-325-0778.
Not sure what to expect when your new Medicare Card Comes in the mail? Were providing images of what the envelope and letter will look like to prevent yourself from being scammed by incorrect mailings.
Is There A New Black And White Medicare Card
Scammers falsely allege Medicare is issuing new plastic or metal Medicare cards or black and white Covid-19 Medicare cards. The scammers state that in order to get your new card, you need to provide personal identifying information such as your Medicare number, birth date or even financial account numbers.
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Can You Still See Your Doctor If You Lose Your Card
You should be able to. If your doctors office has a recent copy of your Medicare card, they may already have your Medicare information on file. Many health practices update their records annually and may ask for your card.
Sometimes doctors can look up your Medicare information without requiring your card if they have access to the Medicare Administrative Contractor portal. Youll need to provide your full legal name, birthday and SSN.7
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