The card is blue and white in color and includes the card holder’s social security number and name. The top of the card includes the words “Social Security” printed horizontally, and a column graphic is included on the left and right of the card’s edges.
Full Answer
Why have I not received my Medicare card?
It's sent to people who:
- Go to Social Security to sign up for Medicare
- First sign up for Social Security retirement benefits (at age 65 or older)
- Automatically get Medicare with less than 3 months before coverage starts (usually for people under age 65 with certain disabilities)
What to know about your Medicare card?
With a few exceptions for emergency or urgent care, Medicare plans will only cover you within the U.S. and its territories. But should you maintain your coverage when you move abroad? Expert Ron Elledge answers some common questions. Medicare is the ...
Does everyone have a Medicare card?
Most people get Part A for free, but some have to pay a premium for this coverage. To be eligible for premium-free Part A, an individual must be entitled to receive Medicare based on their own earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child.
What do I need to apply for a Medicare card?
You can get your own card online if you meet all of these requirements:
- you’re living in Australia and you’re an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or you have a permanent resident visa
- you’re 15 years or older
- you’re currently on one Medicare card only
- your current Medicare card has other people on it
- you’re not the contact person of your current Medicare card
- you want your own Medicare card with just your name on it.
Is a Medicare card the same as a Social Security card?
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.
What does a Medicare ID number 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. You can visit cms.gov for more information on the format of an MBI.
Is my SSN the same as my Medicare number?
Your card has a Medicare Number that's unique to you — it's not your Social Security Number. This helps protect your identity.
How do I get my Medicare card from Social Security?
In your personal my Social Security account, you can get your Benefit Verification Letter, which includes your Medicare number. You can also visit Medicare.gov and sign in to see your Medicare number and print an official copy of your card.
How many letters and numbers are in a Medicare ID?
The MBI has 11 characters, like the Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN), which can have up to 11. Will the MBI's characters have any meaning? Each MBI is randomly generated. This makes MBIs different than HICNs, which are based on the Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of people with Medicare.
How many digits does a Medicare card have?
When entering Medicare Numbers on the Claim form, please ensure the numbers are correct and there are 11 digits in total with no spaces.
When did Medicare stop using SSN?
April 2019With the increased risk of identity theft posed by the use of Social Security numbers (SSNs) on Medicare cards, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, mandating the removal of SSNs from all Medicare cards by April 2019.
How do I find my Medicare card number?
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.
Where can I find my Medicare ID number?
How can I find my Medicare number? You can find your Medicare number on your Medicare card. Or you can sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account to view your number. You can use this account to not only view your number but print an official copy of your card.
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.
How long does it take to receive Medicare card?
about 3 to 4 weeksYou can get your own Medicare card online or apply for one using a form. You can also get a new card with other people. We'll send your card to the address you've given us. It'll arrive in about 3 to 4 weeks.
Can I get a replacement Medicare card at my local Social Security office?
If you can't use the online request to get a replacement Medicare card, or if you prefer, call Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Our representatives will be glad to help you. You can also visit one of our local Social Security offices.
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.
When will Medicare cards be sent out?
New Medicare cards are sent out three months before the month of a person’s 65th birthday. If you are waiting to get your Medicare benefits card but have not received it before your 65th birthday, be sure to contact your local Social Security Administration office or call a local CMS office.
Why was the original Medicare card modified?
The original card was modified to make it more secure and to protect the identity of all Medicare beneficiaries from fraudulent use. The initial transition period that took place from 2018 to 2019 provided scammers with a perfect opportunity to get personal information, and even money, from unsuspecting Medicare enrollees.
What is the Medicare beneficiary identifier?
Your new card uses a unique number called your Medicare beneficiary identifier (MBI). This identifier is a combination of letters and numbers. You use this number whenever you visit a health care provider, hospital, or other medical facility. The information that is printed on the face of your new card is: your full name, your MBI, ...
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 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.
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!
What is the 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 ( Part A) and medical insurance ( Part B) began. It will also show your Medicare number, which serves as an identification number in the Medicare system.
When will Medicare cards be available for 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.
Do you have to use a blue card to go to the doctor?
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO, PPO, or PFFS), you will not use the red, white, and blue card when you go to the doctor or hospital.
Do you have to show your Medicare card to your doctor?
If you have a supplemental insurance plan, like a Medigap, retiree, or union plan, make sure to show that plan’s card to your doctor or hospital, too, so that they can bill the plan for your out-of-pocket costs . Note: Medicare has finished mailing new Medicare cards to all beneficiaries.
