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.
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)
When will I get my Medicare card?
You should receive your Medicare card in the mail in the 25th month after you receive your first Social Security check. For individuals with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare the same month that your disability benefits begin.
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.
What is a Medicare card and what does it do?
You use your Medicare card when:
- making a Medicare claim for a paid or unpaid doctor's account
- visiting a doctor who bulk bills
- receiving treatment as a public patient in a public hospital
- filling a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription at a pharmacy
What does the red white and blue card cover?
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.
What is a red Medicare card?
Key Takeaways. Medicare will send you a red, white and blue card in the mail. This card will include your unique Medicare number and the start date of your Parts A and/or B benefits. If you are enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Medigap or Part D prescription drug plan, you will receive separate cards.
What is a red and blue card?
Your red, white and blue Medicare card will arrive in the mail after you enroll in Medicare. A Medicare card shows that you have Medicare health insurance and whether you have Part A or Part B coverage, or both. It also shows the date your coverage starts.
What are the three parts of Medicare and what do they each cover?
Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage. Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage. Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information). Part D provides prescription drug coverage.
What does a blue Medicare card mean?
Cards may be issued for individuals or families. The blue Medicare card bearing the words "INTERIM CARD" is for people who have applied for permanent residence.
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 is a blue and white card?
To work as a Traffic Controller in NSW, an individual must hold a Blue Card. If you are wanting to use your Traffic Control Blue Card within a construction based site, then a White Card approved by SafeWork NSW is also required. Licences 4 Work offers both the Blue Card and the White Card courses.
What is on the back of a Medicare card?
Your card will come in a white envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services (see example on the right). The back of the envelope will say, “Official information from Medicare.” Medicare will mail new Medicare cards with new Medicare numbers from April 2018 through April 2019.
Should I carry my Medicare card with me?
Keep your Medicare Advantage Card: If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is your main card for Medicare – you should still keep and use it whenever you need care. However, you also may be asked to show your new Medicare card, so you should carry this card too.
What will Medicare not pay for?
In general, Original Medicare does not cover: Long-term care (such as extended nursing home stays or custodial care) Hearing aids. Most vision care, notably eyeglasses and contacts. Most dental care, notably dentures.
Why do I need Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C provides more coverage for everyday healthcare including prescription drug coverage with some plans when combined with Part D. A Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MAPD) plan is when a Part C and Part D plan are combined. Medicare Part D only covers prescription drugs.
Whats the difference between Medicare Part A and B?
If you're wondering what Medicare Part A covers and what Part B covers: Medicare Part A generally helps pay your costs as a hospital inpatient. Medicare Part B may help pay for doctor visits, preventive services, lab tests, medical equipment and supplies, and more.
What is a red white and blue card?
A red-white-and-blue paper Medicare card is mailed to adults who are turning 65 and enrolled in Medicare.
What does a Medicare card tell you?
Your card lets healthcare providers know whether you have Medicare Part A (“HOSPITAL”) or Part B (“MEDICAL”) or both, and the starting date of your coverage.
How long does it take to get a replacement Medicare card?
According to the Health and Human Services Department, it can take about 30 days for your replacement card to arrive in the mail.
What happens if you lose your Medicare number?
If it is lost or stolen and gets into the wrong hands, you could be the victim of identity theft. Your personal information could be used fraudulently to obtain medical care or submit billing to Medicare in your name. Today, your Medicare number is no longer your SSN.
What to do if you don't bring a health card to an appointment?
If you don’t want to bring it with you to a health appointment, you can call ahead and ask the doctor’s office if they’ll need a copy of the card.
When do you use your Medicare card?
If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you’ll use your Medicare card when you’re at the doctor’s office or in the hospital. (If you are enrolled in an MA plan, you’ll use your MA card). Billing specialists and providers will ask to see your card so they know whom to bill.
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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.
How to get your first red, white, and blue Medicare card
Receiving your first Medicare card is easy—enroll in Medicare and your card will be sent in the mail. 1 If you still need to enroll, follow these tips to sign up for Medicare for the first time.
How to get a replacement red, white and blue Medicare card
If you recently moved or need a new card for other reasons, you have 3 ways to replace your lost or stolen Medicare card. Replacement cards arrive in the mail in about 30 days. If you need proof of Medicare before 30 days, a letter to use as temporary proof can be mailed in about 10 days.
Learn more about Medicare
For more helpful information on Medicare, check out these 10 frequently asked questions about Medicare plans.
What is a Medicare card?
Your Medicare card provides proof that you Medicare eligible and enrolled in the Medicare program. Your Medicare card is red, white and blue. The card also shows your effective dates of coverage and which parts of Medicare you are enrolled in (i.e., Medicare Parts A and/or Part B). This is the only card you will need to provide when checking in for a doctor’s appointment, medical facility or hospital if the only coverage you have is original Medicare Part A and/or Part B. Typically, since original Medicare does not cover but a select few prescription medications, your original Medicare card is not needed when you go to a pharmacy to get prescriptions. Most prescriptions that are covered under original Medicare Part B are for medications administered in a medical facility or doctor’s office, such as injections. (For more information see “What prescriptions are covered under original Medicare Part B?”)
What is Medicare Advantage Card?
The Medicare Advantage card is the only card you will need to present when you go to the doctor, a medical facility or the hospital. Your original Medicare card is not needed if you have a Medicare Advantage plan because the doctor’s office, medical facility or hospital will not bill Medicare for services rendered because original Medicare is no longer administering your claims. A Medicare Advantage plan, or Medicare Part C, takes the place of original Medicare Part A and Part B and all payments made to your medical providers are issued from your Medicare Advantage plan insurance carrier. You still have to be enrolled in original Medicare Part A and Part B to qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan even though you will no longer be utilizing Medicare for payment of medical services. The medical services provided must still be Medicare approved services in order to be covered by your Medicare Advantage plan.
How many different Medicare cards are there?
It is possible have up to three different cards which relate to Medicare coverage. If you need assistance in determining which card to use, simply contact your Medicare or your agent/benefit specialist. Do not cheat yourself out of the coverage you have purchased by not having or producing the appropriate card when receiving medical services or obtaining prescriptions medications. Failure to present the proper Medicare related insurance card may result in denial of payment of medical services at the time, unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses, or delay in payment of medical services to your medical provider.
