The agency will send out the new cards in seven waves based on where you live. The cards for the first two groups of states are set to be mailed between April and June. The first group includes the mid-Atlantic areas closest to Washington, D.C., including Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Is Medicare calling people about new cards?
Medicare will never call you uninvited to request personal or private information in order for you to get your new Medicare number and card. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don't share your personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
When will Medicare mail new cards?
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.
Are new Medicare cards being mailed out?
New Medicare cards are being mailed soon–here’s when you can expect to get yours. In a move to combat medical identity theft, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is issuing new cards that no longer include Social Security numbers. The cards will be mailed to beneficiaries in waves, depending on which state you live in.
Is Medicare issuing new cards with chips?
There’s no charge for your new card. The new cards are being issued as a result of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015. That law requires Medicare to remove Social Security Numbers from all Medicare cards by April 2019. They will be replaced by a new 11-character Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) which will be used for Medicare transactions like billing, eligibility status, and claim status. Your new card will look like something like this:
Will I automatically get my Medicare card in the mail?
The agency will mail you a letter that you can use as proof of Medicare eligibility until you receive your new Medicare card. You should receive this letter within 10 days of submitting the request. If you receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you should call your local RRB office or 1-877-772-5772.
Is Medicare sending out new cards 2021?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin mailing out new Medicare cards to 58 million current beneficiaries this April, according to the AARP. Some things to know about the new Medicare card: Residents won't need to take any action to get their new Medicare card.
Is Medicare sending out new cards in 2020?
Note: Medicare has finished mailing new Medicare cards to all beneficiaries. You can still use your old card to get your care covered until January 1, 2020. However, if you have not received your new card, you should call 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227) and speak to a representative.
How long does it take to receive Medicare card in mail?
about 3 weeksYou'll receive your card within about 3 weeks from the date you apply for Medicare. You should carry your card with you whenever you're away from home. You can sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account if you need to print a replacement card.
Is the government issuing new Medicare cards?
You're getting a new Medicare card! Between April 2018 and April 2019, we'll be removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards and mailing each person a new card. This will help keep your information more secure and help protect your identity.
Is Medicare issuing new cards with a chip?
The short answer is no. Medicare is not replacing your paper card with a plastic chip card. Scammers tried this con a few years ago. They've apparently fired it up again, as a lot of viewers are telling us about getting this call.
Do Medicare cards have an expiration date?
Generally, a person does not have to renew their Medicare card each year, as it will automatically renew. If a card is lost, stolen, or damaged people can get a new card at no cost.
Can you laminate your Medicare card?
You'll definitely want to take good care of your Medicare card – don't lose track of it, and keep it in good condition. However, the Social Security Administration doesn't recommend laminating important identification cards because the plastic coating may interfere with the card's security features.
What does a Medicare ID look like?
On a Medicare card, an MBI will appear similar to this: 1EG4-TE5-MK73. The second, fifth, eighth, and ninth characters are always letters while the first, fourth, seventh, tenth, and eleventh characters are always numbers.
How do I check my Medicare card online?
Sign in to myGov and select Medicare. If you're using the app, open it and enter your myGov PIN. On your homepage, select My card. You'll see your current Medicare card.
How long does Medicare take to arrive?
We'll process your application. It may take up to 6 weeks to process your application if you apply between July and November. This is because we get a lot of applications at that time. We'll write to you if we don't approve your application or need more information.
Do you automatically get a Medicare card when 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.
What does Medicare show when you change your name?
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.
What is the number to call for medicare?
If someone calls and asks for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits, hang up and call us 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) . TTY: 1-877-486-2048.
Do you have to carry a Medicare card?
If you have a Medicare drug plan or supplemental coverage, carry that plan card with you too.
When will Medicare start sending new cards?
In April, Medicare began sending its members new cards with unique eleven-digit account numbers, ending the previous reliance on SSA numbers. The transition to new cards and numbers is ongoing and is scheduled to be completed in December of 2019.
How to get a new Medicare card?
Medicare has posted information about the new cards. You should know: 1 There is no fee for the new card; it will be mailed to you automatically as long as your address is up to date. 2 Medicare will never call you uninvited to request personal or private information in order for you to get your new Medicare number and card. 3 If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don't share your personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For more information visit www.medicare.gov/fraud.
Can Medicare call you uninvited?
Medicare will never call you uninvited to request personal or private information in order for you to get your new Medicare number and card.
Can Medicare fraud steal your money?
Medicare scammers may use different angles in attempts to steal your money or your identity: Some callers may request payment for the new Medicare card, according to a Detroit Free Press article. Others may pose as medical insurers and threaten to cancel your insurance if you don't share information from the new card. If successful, these identity thieves can use a beneficiary's information to file false claims, fill prescriptions, or sell it to other bad actors on the dark web.
What is the new Medicare card?
The new Medicare health insurance cards are red, white and blue paper (not plastic). There is a blue arching swath at the top with an eagle icon in the left corner and it says “MEDICARE HEALTH INSURANCE”. A red stripe is across the bottom.
How to replace Medicare card if lost?
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 don’t yet receive Social Security benefits. If don’t already have a Social Security on-line account, you can create one online.
How to report suspicious calls to Medicare?
Suspicious calls can be reported by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) your local Senior Medicare Patrol, a federally funded service for people on Medicare and their families. The ONLY times a Medicare plan can call you is if you have telephoned them and left a message. 4. New Card — Same Benefits.
How many characters are on Medicare card?
The new cards use an 11 character (both letters and numbers) Medicare identifier. However, only share your Medicare identifier with your healthcare professionals — no one else needs this information. 3. Beware About New Types of Fraud.
Does Medicare coverage change with a new card?
New Card — Same Benefits. Your Medicare coverage does not change with the new card. Your benefits stay the same. 5. You Still Need Your Other Medicare Supplemental Cards. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicaid a Medicare drug plan or other supplemental coverage, you still need those cards and will need to present them to your medical ...
Is Social Security up to date?
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. (To update your contact information, visit mySocial Security account .) Don’t worry if your neighbor has received their card and you have not.
Does Medicare have a new number?
In response to privacy concerns about the old Medicare cards that included your Social Security number on them, Medicare is in the process of issuing new Medicare cards. The new cards have a new number, but not much else is changing.
How to get a replacement Medicare card?
Go to Sign In or Create an Account. 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 ...
What is the number to call for medicare?
If you can’t or prefer not to use the online service, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE ( 1-800-633-4227 TTY 1-877-486-2048 ).
What happens if my Medicare card is stolen?
If your Medicare card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can request a replacement with your personal my Social Security account. If you don’t already have an account, you can create one online. Go to Sign In or Create an Account.
