Medicare Blog

what the difference between the old and new medicare card

by Jakayla Erdman Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Your Medicare Number is unique: Your card has a new number instead of your Social Security Number. This new number is unique to you. 5. Your new card is paper: Paper cards are easier for many providers to use and copy, and they save taxpayers a lot of money.

Full Answer

How can I get a replacement for medicare care card?

  • Are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses).
  • Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card.
  • Have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card from one of the many participating states or the District of Columbia.

What to know about your new Medicare card?

  • If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your MA plan card will still be the main card you use for health benefits. ...
  • Keep your card with you so that you can use it whenever you need medical care. ...
  • Only give out your card information to doctors, pharmacists and health care providers. ...

More items...

Are You using your new Medicare card?

You’ll get a new Medicare Number that’s unique to you, and it will only be used for your Medicare coverage. The new card won’t change your coverage or benefits. You’ll get more information from Medicare when your new card is mailed. Here’s how you can get ready: Make sure your mailing address is up to date. If your address needs to be corrected, contact Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount or 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

When do the new Medicare cards come out?

Or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Everyone on Medicare should have a new card by April. But to allow for a transition period, doctors can accept the old cards until Dec. 31, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said.

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Is my old Medicare card still good?

You can only use your old card and Medicare Number to get health care services until December 31, 2019. If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or a Medicare Drug Plan, use your Plan ID card whenever you need care or prescriptions.

Did Medicare change their cards?

You asked, and we listened. You're getting a new Medicare card! Between April 2018 and April 2019, we'll be removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards and mailing each person a new card. This will help keep your information more secure and help protect your identity.

Did Medicare cards change in 2020?

Starting Jan. 1, 2020, members will no longer be able to use their old Medicare card with a HICN and providers must submit claims using MBIs, no matter what date you performed the service. Will the cutover date for use of the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) be based on the date of service or the date of receipt?

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 is the new Medicare ID format?

MBI will contain Numbers and letters (Uppercase), that will use 0 to 9 numbers and all letters from A to Z, they have excluded S,L,O,I,B and Z so that will help all characters to easier to read. The MBI's 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th characters will always be a letter. Characters 1, 4, 7, 10, and 11 will always be a number.

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.

Can I get a plastic Medicare card?

YES YOU CAN! There are no laws or government regulations that prevent you from making a copy of your Medicare card. In fact, Medicare recommends that you make a copy to carry with you, so you can keep your original Medicare card tucked safely away.

Did not receive new Medicare card?

If you don't get your card, you can ask for a new one by: using your Medicare online account through myGov. the Express Plus Medicare mobile app. calling the Medicare program.

When did Medicare stop using Social Security numbers?

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.

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.

What do the letters mean on your Medicare card?

All “F” codes are followed by a number to signify the relationship. Code H — indicates Medicare eligibility due to disability. HA means you are a disabled claimant. HB means you are the wife of a disabled claimant. HC means you are the child of a disabled claimant.

What is a Medicare card?

Every person with Medicare should have a Medicare card. Your red, white, and blue Medicare card is proof that you are enrolled in Original Medicare. As a Medicare beneficiary, it is important that you have your Medicare card with you when you receive Medicare-covered services.

What is different about the new Medicare card?

In the past, the number on your Medicare card has been your Social Security number. The new cards will have a number that is different from your Social Security number.

When will I receive my new card?

The new cards will be mailed out on a flow basis, based on geographic location and other factors.

Why are new cards being issued?

New cards are being issued to protect Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayers. Eliminating Social Security numbers on Medicare cards prevents fraud, fights identity theft, and keeps taxpayer dollars safe.

How will the new card affect my Medicare coverage?

The new Medicare card and MBI number will not change your Medicare benefits. If you have Medicare, you can start using your new card and MBI as soon as you receive it.

Where can I get more information about Medicare cards?

To learn more about your Medicare options and Medicare card, visit Medicare.gov.

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 new Medicare card?

The major change made to the new card is that your Social Security number is no longer on the card. Your Social Security number is no longer used as your Medicare claim or identification number. 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.

What information is on the face of a new Medicare card?

The information that is printed on the face of your new card is: your full name, your MBI, the Medicare benefits programs you are enrolled in, and the dates that your coverage begins for each program. You should have your new card with you whenever you are away from home or when you visit a health care provider, hospital, or other medical facility.

How to destroy old Medicare card?

If you still have your old Medicare identification card, destroy it by cutting it up or putting it through a shredder. Do not give your Medicare identification card, or any information on it, to anyone you do not trust.

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.

Do you need a Medicare card for Part D?

You may need to present your Original Medicare identification card together with the MA or Part D cards when you receive care as well.

What is the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage is that the Medicare Advantage program is administered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare to offer benefits. This means that premiums are set by the individual insurance companies and can vary depending on the plan you choose ...

What are the different Medicare Advantage plans?

Some of the popular ones include: Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).

How many people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2017?

In 2017, about one-third of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans according to CMS. If you have Medicare coverage or are approaching Medicare eligibility, you may have questions about which program is right for you.

Does Medicare Advantage cover hospice?

Medicare Advantage plans must offer all the same coverage as Original Medicare (except for hospice care, which is still covered under Part A), but they are able to offer additional benefits to their members.

Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?

Original Medicare generally does not include coverage for prescription drugs, except those medications that must be administered by a medical professional, such as chemotherapy and certain types of injections, for example.

Does Medicare Advantage include Part D?

For example, many Medicare Advantage plans also include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, so you get all your Medicare benefits in one convenient plan.

Can you still be in Medicare Advantage?

Remember, if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’re still in the Medicare program, which means you have all the same rights and protections as you have under Original Medicare.

How to get a replacement Medicare card?

If your card is ever lost, stolen, or damaged , you can get a replacement card by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227). You can also order or print a card by logging in to your mymedicare.gov account.

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 bring a Medicare card to a doctor?

If you have Original Medicare, make sure you always bring this card with you when you visit doctors and hospitals so that they can submit bills to Medicare for payment. 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.

What does a new Medicare card look like?

The new Medicare card will look similar to your old one , but there are differences. The new card will still be red, white, and blue, but will show a unique identification number instead of your Social Security number. Your effective dates for Part A and/or Part B will still be printed on the front of the card.

When will Medicare cards be released?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that new Medicare cards would be delivered to all Medicare recipients between April 2018 and April 2019. A new identification card will be delivered to anyone who receives Medicare benefits.

Why is Medicare card made of paper?

The new Medicare card is made of paper to make it easier for medical providers to use and copy. Many Medicare recipients have wondered if they can do something to protect it from damage. Pulling your card in and out of your wallet can certainly take its toll. The paper may start to shred and fade over time.

Does Medicare coverage change with new card?

Your Medicare coverage will not change with the arrival of your new card. You are simply getting a new identification card to carry with you so that you can present it to medical providers, doctors, or hospitals.

Do you have to update your address for Medicare?

New Medicare cards are being sent out automatically to everyone who receives Medicare benefits. You do not have to do anything as long as your address is current. If you need to update your address, visit your MySocialSecurity account.

Can you laminate a Social Security card?

The paper may start to shred and fade over time. Although it is not illegal to laminate your card , the Social Security administration advises against it. Laminating the card may prevent built-in security features of the card from being recognized. Instead, consider buying a plastic card holder to keep it intact.

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