Share:

New Medicare cards offer better identity protection for millions of Americans

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently completed a large-scale effort to provide new Medicare cards without Social Security numbers to people with Medicare. The new cards support the agency’s work to protect personal identity and reduce fraud and abuse.

 

“Safeguarding our beneficiaries’ personal information continues to be one of our top priorities,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “The Trump Administration is committed to modernizing Medicare and has expedited this process to ensure the protection of Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars from the potential for fraud and abuse due to personal information that existed on the old cards. 

 

In April 2018, CMS began mailing the new Medicare cards, each of which features a unique randomly assigned Medicare number known as a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). The MBI is a combination of letters and numbers that help protect against personal identity theft and fraud.

 

ALL North Carolina Medicare beneficiaries should have received new cards! PLEASE have your new card accessible when you call our office to make an appointment and bring your new card with you to your appointment. If you have not received your new card, please see the instructions below.

 

Assistance Available 
For anyone with Medicare who has not received a new card by now, CMS offers these tips:

  • Call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance. They will verify your identity, check your address on record, and help you get your new card.
  • Log into your gov account to get your new Medicare number or print your official card. The new Medicare number is now available in your account, even if you didn’t receive your card in the mail. Accounts are password-protected and secure. To access or create an account, visit MyMedicare.gov

Prioritizing Security
Although the new Medicare cards are designed to protect against identity theft, people with Medicare should continue to look out for scams. CMS offers these tips:

  • Destroy your old Medicare card so no one can get your personal information.
  • Start using your new Medicare card right away. Carry it when you need healthcare. Medicare coverage and benefits are the same. The new card does not impact or change your healthcare benefits.
  • Keep your other plan cards. If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or a Medicare Drug Plan, keep using that plan ID card whenever you need care or prescriptions. However, please carry and protect your new Medicare card too — you may be asked to show it.
  • Protect your Medicare number just like a credit card. Only give the new Medicare number to doctors, pharmacists, other healthcare providers, insurers, or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf. Medicare will never call uninvited for your Medicare number or other personal information.
tracking