Some people consider laminating their card to protect it from wear and tear. The Social Security Administration does not recommend doing that, however, because laminating the card may interfere with its security features. Instead, use a clear plastic cardholder or sleeve to protect it from damage and keep it visible for your providers.
Full Answer
How can you protect yourself when new Medicare cards are issued?
But there are ways you can protect yourself until the new cards are issued. Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy for the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, recommends that you carry your Medicare card only when you visit a health care provider for the first time, so the provider can make a copy for its file.
Do Social Security numbers still appear on Medicare cards?
But Medicare beneficiaries are in a tough spot because SSN-based health claim numbers still appear on their Medicare cards.
What should I do with my old Medicare card?
Make sure you destroy your old card to help protect your SSN and other personal information. Start using your new Medicare card. Doctors, other health care providers, and plans approved by Medicare know that Medicare is replacing the old cards, so carry the new card with you. They are ready to accept your new card when you need care.
What should I do if I Lose my Medicare card?
Destroy your old Medicare card right away. Make sure you destroy your old card to help protect your SSN and other personal information. Start using your new Medicare card. Doctors, other health care providers, and plans approved by Medicare know that Medicare is replacing the old cards, so carry the new card with you.
How do I preserve my Social Security card?
Do not laminate your card. Lamination prevents detection of many security features. However, you may cover the card with plastic or other removable material if it does not damage the card.
Where should you store your Social Security card?
Social Security cards Keep your social security card locked up in a safe at home. Don't carry it around with you in your wallet, as that's an easy way to have it, and your identity, stolen. See our picks for the best identity theft protection services.
Can I tape my Social Security card?
The short answer to this is 'no. ' The fact is, the U.S. Federal Government says not to laminate your social security card on their website. This, however, is a recommendation, not an actual law.
Do Social Security cards ever expire?
Does an SSN expire? No. Once an SSN has been assigned it is an individual's unique number for the rest of his or her life in the United States.
Why you should not carry your Social Security card?
Don't Carry Your Social Security Card in Your Wallet Losing protection of your full Social Security number is a fast track to identity theft. Once it's loose, identify thieves will exploit it to get loans in your name, obtain credit cards or other financial chicanery.
What should you not keep in your wallet?
To safeguard your finances while you're on the go, consider these seven things you should never carry in your wallet:Social Security number. ... Checks. ... Numerous credit cards. ... Multiple gift cards. ... Password cheat sheets. ... Excess cash. ... Spare keys.
Is it OK to 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.
Is laminated Social Security card valid?
While the Social Security Administration (SSA) discourages individuals from laminating their Social Security cards, the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidance indicates a laminated card is acceptable but employers cannot accept metal or plastic reproductions.
Can I accept a laminated Social Security card?
U.S. Social Security Card A laminated card is acceptable but you cannot accept metal or plastic reproductions.
Do Social Security numbers get reused?
To date, 453.7 million different numbers have been issued. Q20: Are Social Security numbers reused after a person dies? A: No. We do not reassign a Social Security number (SSN) after the number holder's death.
Do all Social Security cards have a seal?
The current Social Security card consists of specially designed pre-printed banknote paper bearing the words, "Social Security," and the official seal of SSA. The statement, "This number has been established for" is printed across the official seal, in the middle of the card.
What can be used as proof of Social Security number?
Verification Documents A social security card. A W-2 form. A SSA-1099 form.
Where do you show your Medicare card?
Beneficiaries need to show their Medicare card at the doctor's office and the hospital in order to have Medicare pay for treatment. Over the years, many consumer advocates, including AARP, have called for a new form of Medicare identification.
How much would it cost to change Medicare cards?
The reason is that it would cost at least $800 million and take five years to issue new numbers and change the cards currently used by more than 47 million people with Medicare, Medicare officials testified at a House committee hearing on Aug.1.
Do doctors have to update their records?
Also, doctors and other health care providers across the nation would have to update their records . Other government health systems — such as those run by Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense — have already begun using ID numbers that are different from SSNs, or they are in the process of changing.
Can Medicare follow suit?
But no one knows whether Medicare will follow suit. In the meantime, here's what you can do to protect yourself, according to the Privacy Rights Clearing House, a national consumer resource on identity theft: Photocopy your Medicare card and cut it down to wallet size.
How to get a copy of my Medicare card?
Instead, here’s what Levin suggests that you do: 1 Make a copy of your Medicare card. 2 Remove or cut out most of the numbers. 3 Write your emergency contact’s phone number on the back.
How to protect yourself from scammers?
Adam Levin, author of “ SWIPED: How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers, and Identity Thieves ,” says you should avoid carrying your Medicare card at all costs. Instead, here’s what Levin suggests that you do: Make a copy of your Medica re card. Remove or cut out most of the numbers. Write your emergency contact’s phone number ...
What happens if you carry a Medicare card in your wallet?
If beneficiaries carry their Medicare card in their wallet, or their Social Security card for that matter, and it falls into the wrong hands they could be setting themselves up for identity theft and/or fraudulent benefit claims submitted to the Medicare program.
When did the government remove Social Security numbers?
The U. S. Government Accountability Office first recommended removing Social Security numbers (SSNs) from government documents in 2002. In a 2008 audit, the SSA Inspector General reported that displaying SSNs on beneficiaries’ Medicare cards unnecessarily places millions of Americans at risk for identity theft and that the SSN should be removed ...
What did the GAO testify about Medicare fraud?
In 2014 the GAO testified at congressional hearings on ways CMS could reduce fraud in Medicare, including “the removal of Social Security numbers from the millions of Medicare cards.”.
Is Social Security removed from Medicare?
S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), have called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. The U. S. Government Accountability Office first recommended removing ...
Does the SSA keep your Social Security card?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) advises Americans to keep their Social Security card in a safe place. At the same time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tells their beneficiaries to carry their Medicare card – which includes their Social Security number – with them at all times. What is a Medicare beneficiary to do? And what should the government do about this conflict?
How to protect your SSN when you get a new Medicare card?
When you’ve received your new Medicare card, take these steps to protect your information and identity: Destroy your old Medicare card right away. Make sure you destroy your old card to help protect your SSN and other personal information. Start using your new Medicare card.
Can Medicare contact you uninvited?
Medicare will never contact you uninvited to ask for your personal information. For more information about your new Medicare card, visit Medicare.gov/NewCard. You can also visit Medicare.gov for tips to prevent Medicare fraud. Tags: Medicare, my Social Security account, Social Security benefits, SSN. See Comments.
Does Medicare send new cards?
Did you know that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is sending new cards with new Medicare numbers to everyone with Medicare? Instead of your Social Security Number (SSN), your new Medicare card will include a new number unique to you. This will help to protect you against identity theft and protect Medicare from fraud. Medicare will automatically mail your new card to the address you have on file with Social Security. As long as your address is up to date, there’s nothing you need to do! If you need to update your address, use your personal my Social Security account.
Does Medicare automatically mail a new card?
This will help to protect you against identity theft and protect Medicare from fraud. Medicare will automatically mail your new card to the address you have on file with Social Security. As long as your address is up to date, there’s nothing you need to do!
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 (and their licensed agents or brokers), or people you trust that work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) A state program that gets money from the federal government to give free local health insurance counseling to people with Medicare. ..
Carrying your card
You’ll need the information on your Medicare card to join a Medicare health or drug plan or buy Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) An insurance policy you can buy to help lower your share of certain costs for Part A and Part B services (Original Medicare). so keep your Medicare card in a safe place.
How do you get another Medicare card?
My card is lost or damaged — Log into (or create) your Medicare account to print an official copy of your Medicare card. You can also call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to order a replacement card. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.