what is the number on the back of medicare card?

Is My Medicare claim number the same as my card number?

Your Medicare claim number is the same as your Medicare card number. That means your Medicare claim number is the same as the 11-character series of numbers and letters on the front of your red, white and blue Medicare card.

What information is on a Medicare card?

In addition to your Medicare number, your Medicare card lists other important information. It states your name and sex. The card also lists whether a person has coverage under Part A and Part B, as well as the date coverage started for each.

What is a Medicare number used for?

A beneficiary’s Medicare number is used to identify them for claims and billing purposes. Moreover, an emergency health situation can only be simplified by keeping the red, white, and blue, Medicare card within reach. What do I do if I lose my Medicare card? If you lose your Medicare card, you can get a replacement card mailed to you.

How many letters are in a Medicare number?

Your Medicare number, also known as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), contains eleven random letters and numbers. It shows on the red, white, and blue Medicare card.

What information 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.

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.

What does the letter B after the Social Security number on a Medicare card mean?

wifeThe Medicare people simply use the Social Security claim number as your Medicare number. Currently, your wife is claiming benefits on your account. “B” is the symbol the Social Security Administration uses to denote wife's benefits. When you die, your wife will be claiming widow's benefits on your record.

Do the new Medicare numbers mean anything?

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. The MBI's characters are “non-intelligent” so they don't have any hidden or special meaning.

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 your Medicare number the same as your Social Security number?

Your card has a Medicare Number that's unique to you — it's not your Social Security Number. This helps protect your identity. The card shows: You have Medicare Part A (listed as HOSPITAL), Part B (listed as MEDICAL), or both.

What does the letter at the end of my Medicare number mean?

After the numerical sequence, there will be a letter or a letter followed by another number. These codes indicate Medicare eligibility. For example, assume you are the wife (62 years or older) of the primary claimant, and your husband's SSN is 555-55-5555. Your Medicare number would be 555-55-5555-B.

What does C1 mean at the end of a Medicare number?

Code C – this category applies to child Medicare beneficiaries. Numerical suffixes following “C” indicate the child's relationship to the primary claimant. The youngest child gets code C1, the next youngest gets C2, and so on through C9 and then from CA to CZ.

What does the t mean at the end of a Medicare number?

According to Social Security's code list, “T” means the person has elected to receive only health insurance benefits (no Social Security) and is entitled to Medicare Part A under deemed or real provisions or fully insured.

What is 11 digit Medicare number?

A complete Medicare number requires 11 digits in total. This includes your 10-digit Medicare number on your card followed by the unique reference number that appears next to your name. Please take extra care when entering you Medicare Number, it is extremely important to ensure it is 100% correct.

Why do I have two Medicare numbers?

The front of your Medicare card indicates whether you are enrolled in Part A and/or Part B under the heading “IS ENTITLED TO.” If you are enrolled in the Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan or Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan, that information appears on a separate card and not on your Medicare card.

Should I laminate my Medicare card?

While not illegal, the Social Security Administration advises that you do not laminate your Medicare card. Lamination may prevent detection of security features.

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.

What is the Medicare number?

Your Medicare Number is the 11 digit code on the front of your red, white, and blue Medicare card that Medicare uses to identify you. To help keep your personal information safe, your Medicare Number is no longer the same as your Social Security Number.

What to do if you forgot your Medicare card?

If you forget to bring your card to an appointment with your doctor or healthcare provider, they may be able to look it up for you. Lost or damaged Medicare cards can be easily replaced. Give Medicare a call at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or log into your Medicare.gov account.

Can you give your Medicare number to someone?

Be wary of people selling medical devices or tests who ask for your Medicare Number and tell you that you don’t need to consult with your healthcare provider first. Don’t give your Medicare Number to someone calling you ...

What does a Medicare card say?

It states your name and sex. The card also lists whether a person has coverage under Part A and Part B , as well as the date coverage started for each. Prior to use, you must sign your Medicare card.

Where is my Medicare number?

Your Medicare number is located on your red, white, and blue Medicare card. Additionally, paperwork and documentation from the Social Security Administration and Medicare shows the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. Otherwise, you should be able to go to your local Social Security Administration or Medicare office.

How long does it take for Medicare to arrive?

Your Medicare card should arrive in the mail 30 days after your request for a new one was received. The Social Security office will mail this card to the address you have listed on file. Surely keep Social Security updated with any changes to your address or personal information.

What is a beneficiary's Medicare number?

A beneficiary’s Medicare number is used to identify them for claims and billing purposes. Moreover, an emergency health situation can only be simplified by keeping the red, white, and blue, Medicare card within reach.

How long does it take to get a proof of Medicare?

Following the request, this letter usually arrives within 10 days as opposed to the 30 days needed to send you a new card.

Where is the Medicare card number?

While your Individual Reference Number is the number to the left of your name on your card, your Medicare Card Number is the 10 digit number that appears above your name, across the top section of the card.

What is a Medicare reference number?

A Medicare Reference Number is a number that represents the position of a person on a Medicare card. For example, a person who is listed second on a Medicare Card has an IRN of 2.

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, ...

Why Medicare uses a claim number

Medicare once used a beneficiary’s Social Security number to file claims. But the Medicare program loses billions of dollars to fraud every year, and using a person’s Social Security number makes it easier for people who commit fraud to steal identities and abuse Medicare benefits.

How your Medicare claim number is used

Medicare beneficiaries generally do not have to file claims on their own. When you receive care, your health care provider will take your Medicare card and use the claim number on the front of your card to file a claim on your behalf. According to Medicare rules, health care providers have one year from the date of service to file a claim.

How to replace your Medicare card

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and follow the automated prompts for reporting and replacing a lost or stolen card. You may also print a temporary copy of your card through your MyMedicare.gov account.

What is included in my Medicare card?

Besides your full name, your Medicare card includes your Medicare number as well as important information about the health insurance coverage to which you are entitled. This includes: 2. Medicare number —This is one of the most important pieces of information on your Medicare card. It’s what the billing department will use when it submits ...

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 is a red white and blue Medicare card?

It acts as proof that you have Medicare health insurance, and it provides the starting date (s) 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 is Part A in Medicare?

Part A —If you have Part A, labeled HOSPITAL, you are entitled to care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, hospice care and home healthcare. The date your coverage begins is also included. 4. Part B —If you have Part B, labeled MEDICAL, you are entitled to medical care and preventive services.

Where to keep a medical card if you don't want to go to the doctor?

If you don’t want to carry the card with you when you’re not going to the doctor, you should keep it in a safe place at home, such as a locked desk drawer or a fireproof safe. Be sure to put it back in the same place every time once you’re done using it.

Do you need a separate ID card for Medicare?

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan, you will receive a separate ID card. If your plan covers prescription drugs, your MA card will include that information too. You should use your MA card as your primary Medicare card, but you should still keep your Medicare card in a safe place.