What happens if someone steals your Medicare number?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Call the fraud hotline of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users can call 1-800-377-4950.
Can someone steal your identity with your Medicare card?
How can I protect my Medicare card?
How to get a replacement Medicare card if lost?
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. Go to Sign In or Create an Account.
How long does it take for a Medicare card to arrive?
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.
Reducing The Risk of a Stolen Medicare Card
In an effort to reduce the risk of theft, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began issuing new Medicare cards with the SSNs removed. This initiative started in April 2018 and it will continue until April 2019, which is when all Medicare cards have been effectively replaced.
Replacing A Stolen Original Medicare Card
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, if your Original Medicare card is stolen, lost, or destroyed, you should sign into your online Social Security account, select the “Replacement Documents” tab, and choose the “Mail my replacement Medicare Card” option.
Railroad Retirement Board Medicare Card Replacement
If you receive Medicare benefits through the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you can request a new card with this agency by completing an online request form. This form requires that you share your:
What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Card Is Stolen
In the event that you have Medicare Advantage—a Medicare plan offered through a private insurance provider—you will need to contact your insurance provider directly and let them know that your card has been stolen.
Additional Medicare Card Protection Advice
Medicare.gov offers additional advice that can be helpful when it comes to adequately protecting your Medicare card. This includes not revealing your Medicare card information to anyone who requests it via phone, email, or in person. Instead, the only people you should give this information to are the following:
Replacing the card if it was lost, stolen, or damaged
An original Medicare card is usually red, white, or blue. When you lost it, or understand that you can no longer use it, there are several ways how to replace it:
How to avoid Medicare fraud?
If the medicare card was stolen or lost, be careful to avoid Medicare fraud. The client must pay attention to Medicare Summary Notice. Scammers can use the card for different operations. All these actions will be visible in the account. If the client sees an operation he didn’t fulfill, he must instantly report to the General Inspector.
Replacement Medicare card with an expired period
If you see that your Medicare card is going to expire, you need to replace it too. This procedure is much easier than replacement in case of loss. The client will get his card within 4-8 weeks. He doesn’t need to send a request for replacement or go to the office. The card will be sent to the client according to his stated address.
Precautions to save the medicare card
Replacement of Medicare cards can become inevitable not only in case of the validation period. It can be lost or stolen, sometimes faded or improper to use. All these cases are leading to the replacement Medicare card. It is sometimes better to prevent the problem than to solve its consequences.
Conclusion
All the insurance documents are important for life in the USA. Without them, it will be hard to apply to any medical institution. They are helpful in case of serious illnesses and can cover most of the expenses. Any person needs to have them at hand. In case of losing or stealing some papers, you need to restore them as soon as possible.
Getting a New Medicare Card for Original Medicare
Beneficiaries with Original Medicare can request a new card in a few places. First, you can sign into MyMedicare.gov, where you’ll be able to find and print a copy of your Original Medicare card. You can also go to the Social Security Administration’s website, SSA.gov, and sign into your my Social Security account.
Replacing Your Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Med Supp Card
If you receive Medicare benefits through a private company, like a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, or Medicare Supplement insurance carrier, you’ll need to call your carrier’s customer service hotline or visit their website. From there, you should be able to request a replacement card, which should arrive at your address within 30 days.
What to Do If Your Medicare Card is Lost or Stolen
If your card is lost or stolen, you’ll want to report that the card was lost or stolen and get a new card. You’ll also need to watch out for Medicare fraud.
Store a Copy in a Safe Place
Finally, it’s a good idea to make a copy of your Medicare card, or record any important Medicare numbers or identifiers, so that you still have them should you lose or damage the card.
Replacing your lost, stolen or damaged card
If your Medicare card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a new card. You can do this by:
Replacing your expired card
We’ll send you a new card about 4 to 8 weeks before your current card expires. You don’t need to do anything. We’ll send it to the address we have for you.
Getting an extra card
Your family can get a second card with the same details. We provide an extra card when more than 1 family member needs a card. We can only issue 1 extra card.
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 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 ).
How to destroy old Medicare card?
Do destroy your old Medicare card, if you haven’t already. Run it through a shredder, or cut it up with scissors (making sure to mutilate the part with your Social Security number).
Why did Medicare give out new cards?
En español | From April 2018 to January 2019, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent every Medicare beneficiary a new card designed to better protect against identity theft. Where the previous cards showed your Social Security number, the new cards utilize a unique, randomly assigned combination of numbers and letters called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). But the new approach hasn’t stopped criminals from targeting older Americans.
What did the scammers do during the Medicare rollout?
During the rollout, scammers impersonating Medicare employees called many beneficiaries, telling them they needed to verify personal information or pay a processing fee to get their new card. Once the rollout was complete, the fraudsters switched gears, adopting variations on the con that claim you need to replace or upgrade your Medicare card.
Why don't you believe a Medicare caller is a Medicare employee?
Don’t believe a caller is a Medicare employee simply because he or she knows some information about you. Scammers will have done their homework.
What is AARP fraud watch?
Whether you have been personally affected by scams or fraud or are interested in learning more, the AARP Fraud Watch Network advocates on your behalf and equips you with the knowledge you need to feel more informed and confidently spot and avoid scams.
Can someone threaten to cancel Medicare?
Someone threatens to cancel your Medicare coverage unless you provide personal information over the phone.
Can you share your Social Security number?
Don’t share your Medicare or Social Security number (or other personal information) with anyone who contacts you out of the blue by phone, text or email or shows up unannounced at your door.
What to do if you need to replace your Medicare card?
If you need to replace your Medicare card because it’s damaged or lost, log into (or create) your secure Medicare account to print an official copy of your Medicare card.
How do I find my Medicare Advantage plan?
Generally, you can find your plan's contact information on your plan membership card . Or, you can search for your plan's contact information. You can also call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
