The nearly 60 million recipients of Medicare will soon have new cards in their mailboxes.
Matt Baker, Region III director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and former area legislator, released a statement explaining what people need to know about the new cards.
The idea for issuing new Medicare cards is to replace Social Security numbers currently used as an identification number in the program with a new “Medicare Beneficiary Identifier” or “Medicare number,” Baker said.
A Medicare number is a randomly generated 11-character number that is created automatically. No actions nor payments are necessary to receive a new card –– which will be shipped to the address currently on file with the Social Security Administration, Baker explained.
The first of the cards will be received by beneficiaries in Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Within the next 12 months, the remaining states’ beneficiaries receive their new cards.
Baker cautioned that someone’s card may arrive at a different time than a friend’s or neighbor’s card, so don’t be alarmed if they aren’t received at the same time.
Baker advised participants to destroy the old Medicare card once the new Medicare card arrives in the mail.
“Only give the Medicare Number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers and insurers to ensure the highest security for the Medicare Number,” Baker said.
Also noted was the fact that the cards are made out of paper to make using and copying easier –– saving taxpayers money. One can print a replacement if necessary.
Baker made it a point to explain that if forgotten, Medicare Numbers can be found online by doctors and other health care providers.
“If part of a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), the Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is the main card for Medicare. (One) should still carry it whenever care is needed. (One) also may be asked to show their new Medicare card.”
Baker explained that new Medicare cards should be kept safe and that while removing the Social Security number reduces many types of identity theft, the new card should still be taken care of because identity thieves could use it to attempt to receive medical services.
Help is available: If a new card does not arrive by April 2019, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
