Medicare Blog

when must we use the new medicare card

by Giles Gusikowski Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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When your new Medicare card arrives by mail (between April 2018 and April 2019), you should destroy your old card and start using your new card right away. It is important to take care when destroying the old 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.

Full Answer

When should I receive my new Medicare card?

  • (1) Look for the information identifying your prescription drug plan. ...
  • (2) Use the Medicare.gov system. ...
  • (3) Use your Medicare plan's online or web-based system. ...
  • (4) Telephone a Medicare representative for assistance. ...
  • (5) Get help from your local pharmacist. ...
  • (6) Get help from your local pharmacist - part 2. ...

More items...

What to expect when you receive your new Medicare card?

You’ll have to manually apply for Medicare if:

  • You live in Puerto Rico. You may get automatically enrolled in Part A as described above, but you’ll need to sign up for Part B.
  • You aren’t receiving retirement benefits yet.
  • You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

When to expect new Medicare cards?

You will receive information through the mail a few months prior to your effective date. You should actually receive your new Medicare card prior to turning 65. Your effective date will be the first day of the month that you turn 65.

What do you need to know about your new Medicare card?

10 Things to Know About Your New Medicare Card Your new card will automatically come to you. ... Your new card will have a new Medicare Number that's unique to you, instead of your Social Security Number. ... Your Medicare coverage and benefits will stay the same. Mailing takes time. ... Your new card is paper, which is easier for many providers to use and copy. More items...

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When can I start using my new Medicare card?

It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. My birthday is on the first of the month....When your coverage starts.If you sign up:Coverage starts:Before the month you turn 65The month you turn 65The month you turn 65The next month2 more rows

Can I still use my old Medicare card?

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 the new Medicare cards expire?

Generally, a person does not have to renew their Medicare card each year, as it will automatically renew. If a card is lost, stolen, or damaged people can get a new card at no cost.

Do Medicare cards need to be activated?

No activation is necessary for your new card and they are free of charge. Medicare issued the numbers and will not need to “verify” anything. Also, all durable medical equipment requires a prescription from your doctor.

How long are Medicare cards valid for?

Replacing your Medicare card Medicare cards are valid for 5 years. We'll send you a new card before your old one expires. You don't have to do anything unless your address has changed. If it has, update your details so the card gets to you.

Is Medicare changing their cards for 2022?

15 through Dec. 7, the more than 63 million Medicare beneficiaries can pick a new Medicare Part D drug plan, a new Medicare Advantage plan, or switch from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan or vice versa. Any coverage changes made during this period will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Does Medicare renew automatically?

Do Medicare Supplement insurance plans renew automatically? Yes, coverage is guaranteed renewable on an automatic basis as long as premium payments are maintained.

What happens when Medicare card expires?

Your old card will no longer be valid. We'll send your new card to the address you give us, in 3 to 4 weeks. You can use a digital copy of your Medicare card in the meantime. Read more about how to get a digital card.

Does Medicare automatically send you a card?

Once you're signed up for Medicare, we'll mail you your Medicare card in your welcome packet. You can also log into (or create) your secure Medicare account to print your official Medicare card. I didn't get my Medicare card in the mail. View the Medicare card if you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board.

Is Social Security issuing new Medicare cards?

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.

Is there a new Medicare card with a chip?

Not with a chip. There are NO NEW Medicare Cards. If you receive a call from someone who tells you they are with Medicare, hang up. Hang up even if your caller ID shows the call is from Medicare.

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 an MBI in Medicare?

The United States Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Health care providers. Health plans. Every person with Medicare has been assigned an MBI. The MBI is confidential like the SSN and should be protected as Personally Identifiable Information. You MUST submit claims using MBIs, no matter what date you performed the service, with a few exceptions.

What letters does MBI not use?

The MBI doesn’t use the letters S, L, O, I, B, and Z to avoid confusion between some letters and numbers (e.g., between “0” and “O”). Learn about and use our MBI format specifications (PDF) to make changes to your systems.

Can you use HICN for Medicare?

Medicare plan exceptions: Appeals - People filing appeals can use either the HICN or the MBI for their appeals and related forms. Adjustments - You can use the HICN indefinitely for some systems (Drug Data Processing, Risk Adjustment Processing, and Encounter Data) and for all records, not just adjustments. Reports - We’re using the HICN on these ...

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

When will Medicare accept MBIs?

Practices must be prepared to use MBIs starting April 1, 2018, as patients new to the Medicare program beginning in April 2018 will only have cards with MBIs. From April 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019, CMS will accept both HICNs and MBIs on Medicare transactions (including eligibility requests and claims) for beneficiaries in ...

How many characters are in a Medicare card?

Like HICNs, MBIs will be 11 characters in length and occupy the same field in Medicare transactions.

Why is Medicare removing Social Security numbers?

The New Medicare Card—formerly known as the Social Security Number Removal Initiative (SSNRI)—is occurring to implement a provision in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) requiring the removal of Social Security numbers from Medicare cards due to concerns about identity theft. Action must be taken now to avoid disruption.

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