Beginning on April 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be mailing new Medicare cards to everyone who has Medicare. These new cards will have a new unique ID number that will replace the social security numbers on current Medicare cards.
CMS is trying to prevent fraud and identity theft by removing the social security numbers, but your Medicare coverage is not changing.
Here are few things to know about your new Medicare card
- CMS will begin mailing cards in April 2018 through April 2019. Your spouse, neighbors, or friends may get their cards before you. Please be patient. If you have not received your card by April 2019, please contact Medicare.
- Destroy your old Medicare card once you receive a new one
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, continue to only show your Medicare Advantage plan card at the doctor’s office and pharmacy. Remember to put your new Medicare card in a safe place
- If you have a Medicare supplement card use it with your new Medicare card
- Beware of anyone who contacts you about your Medicare card. CMS will never ask for your personal information. If someone asks for your personal information, money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY: 1-800-486-2048)
- You can also contact the Wooten Agency if you are ever unsure about a phone call or email you have received: 919-380-9700
- Make sure that your mailing address is up to date. Please contact Social Security if your address needs to be corrected: ssa.gov/myaccount or 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
Help is available
For more details about your new Medicare card, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/new-medicare-card/nmc-home.html
As always, we are happy to help answer any questions you may have about Medicare and these new changes. Feel free to contact us at 919-380-9700 or via email at [email protected].
