
Full Answer
When will I receive my Medicare&you Handbook?
Medicare should send you a printed copy of the Medicare & You Handbook in late September of each year, unless you have chosen to have the handbook delivered electronically. Your handbook should include information about the Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans available in your service area.
When will I get my Medicare card?
When Will I Get My Medicare Card? When you reach the age of 65 or have been disabled and receiving Social Security benefits for 24 months, you may become eligible for Medicare insurance. This insurance provides good coverage for both inpatient and outpatient healthcare services.
How do I get my Medicare card?
How Do You Get Your Medicare Card? Your Medicare card is mailed to you once you have enrolled in Medicare. If you are automatically enrolled, you will receive the card about three months before your 65th birthday or after your 24th month of receiving disability benefits.
What do you need to know about your Medicare card?
Your Medicare card is proof that you have Medicare health insurance. Be sure to keep it in a safe place when you’re not using it. 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 do I get a Medicare booklet?
Visit Medicare's website, Medicare.gov, to get more information about Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Part D coverage; or to download a copy of the publication Medicare & You (Publication No. CMS-10050). You can also call the Medicare toll-free number at 1-800-633-4227; TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Will Medicare automatically send me a Medicare 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.
Does Medicare automatically send you a 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.
How long does it take for Medicare to kick in after applying?
Your Medicare coverage will begin between one and three months after you sign up, depending on when you enroll.
How long does it take for Medicare to send card?
If you are automatically enrolled in Medicare, your card will arrive in the mail two to three months before your 65th birthday. Otherwise, you'll usually receive your card about three weeks to one month after applying for Medicare.
What envelope does my Medicare card come in?
white envelopeYour 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.
Does Medicare send letters?
These letters confirm actions you took (or you asked us to do for you) regarding your secure Medicare account. We send letters when you: Create your new account (or ask us to create your account)
Did I not get a Medicare card?
Once Medicare starts mailing cards to your state, it can take up to a month to receive the card. If the government has finished mailing the cards to your state, and you did not receive a card, contact Medicare right away at 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227) or 1-877-486-2048 for TTY users.
What do I need to do before I turn 65?
Turning 65 Soon? Here's a Quick Retirement ChecklistPrepare for Medicare. ... Consider Additional Health Insurance. ... Review Your Social Security Benefits Plan. ... Plan Ahead for Long-Term Care Costs. ... Review Your Retirement Accounts and Investments. ... Update Your Estate Planning Documents.
How can I check my Medicare application status?
How to Check Medicare Application StatusLogging into one's “My Social Security” account via the Social Security website.Visiting a local Social Security office. ... Contact Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) anytime Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.More items...•
How do I know if my Medicare is active?
If you'd like to make sure you're enrolled in Original Medicare, you can call the program at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users call 1-877-486-2048. You can also check your Medicare enrollment online at Medicare.gov.
Does Medicare start on birthdays?
You will have a Medicare initial enrollment period. If you sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B during the first three months of your initial enrollment period, your coverage will start on the first day of the month you turn 65. For example, say your birthday is August 31.
How do I get my Medicare number online?
To get your Medicare card or number: Sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account. If you don't have an account yet, visit MyMedicare.gov to create one. You can sign in to see your Medicare Number or print an official copy of your card.
Can I order a Medicare card online?
You can do this by: using your Medicare online account through myGov. the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
Is there a new Medicare card coming out?
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.
Are new plastic Medicare cards being issued?
The short answer is no. Medicare is not replacing your paper card with a plastic chip card. Scammers tried this con a few years ago.
When will Medicare send you the handbook?
Medicare should send you a printed copy of the Medicare & You Handbook in late September of each year, unless you have chosen to have the handbook delivered electronically. Your handbook should include information about the Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans available in your service area. We have created this section of our website ...
How to order a copy of Medicare handbook?
Remember that you can order a printed copy of the Medicare & You hand book by calling 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
When will Medicare and You 2021 be mailed?
A printed copy of Medicare & You 2021 will be mailed to beneficiaries in late September, 2020. You can choose to receive an electronic copy of the book instead of the printed copy. Since the handbook is over 100 pages long, ...
When does Medicare open enrollment end?
You may be eligible to change your Medicare coverage during the Fall Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (sometimes called the fall Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans), which starts October 15, 2020, and lasts until December 7.
What is the deductible for Medicare Advantage?
Deductibles for Medicare Advantage plans and Part D plans may vary. Medigap Plan F and Plan G each feature a high-deductible option. Once you meet a deductible of $2,340 for the year in 2020, your Plan F coverage kicks in.
What is a Medigap plan?
Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies and work alongside your Original Medicare coverage to help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs that Part A and Part B don’t cover. The out-of-pocket Medicare costs that can be covered by a Medigap plan include things like deductibles, copays, coinsurance and more.
How much is Medicare Part B deductible?
Medicare Part B has a deductible of $198 per year in 2020. You must meet this deductible before your Part coverage for outpatient care will kick in. Medigap Plan C and Plan F each cover the Part B deductible.
What is Medicare 2021?
Medicare & You 2021 includes basic information about the parts of Medicare and your various coverage options, which include: The Medicare & You 2020 handbook from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Original Medicare. Medicare Part A and Part B are known together as “Original Medicare” and are provided by the federal government.
How long does Medicare IEP last?
Your Medicare IEP lasts for 7 months. If you need to manually enroll in Medicare, the best time to do so is during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which begins 3 months before you turn 65 years old, includes your birthday month and continues for another 3 months.
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 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 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.
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.

What Is It?
When Should I Get It?
- Welcome package with Medicare card:3 months before your Medicare coverage starts Reminder letter:1 month before your Medicare coverage starts
What Should I Do If I Get These Materials?
- Read the materials carefully as soon as you get them because they explain important decisions that you should make now.
Download A Sample
- Welcome to Medicare package for people living in the United States and some U.S. Territories (the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa) 1. English [PDF, 700 KB] 2. Spanish [PDF, 700 KB] 3. Reminder letter: English/Spanish [PDF, 130 KB] Welcome to Medicare package for people living in Puerto Rico 1. English [PDF, 932 KB] 2. Spanish [PDF, 118…
Publication, Product, Or Other Number
- Product No. 11095 for people living in the United States and some U.S. Territories Product No. 11989 for people living in Puerto Rico Product No. 11871 for people living outside the United States Product No. 12088-E.S for the reminder letter