The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, is preparing to release a new Medicare card to better protect people’s identity from theft. If you have Medicare, you should receive your new card in the mail some time between Spring of 2018 and Spring 2019. You do not have to do anything.
Today, most people have Medicare cards with their Social Security numbers. The new card will switch out your Social Security number for a new Medicare ID number. The new card is designed to prevent identity theft and fraud.
Beware of strangers offering to help you with your new Medicare card. They might call pretending to be helping you access your new Medicare card. Keep in mind that Medicare will never contact you to ask for or confirm personal information. So, do not give away this information in person, over the telephone or by email to anyone.
There is no charge for the new Medicare card. It will take as long as a year for CMS to mail out all new cards, so expect to see yours between April 2018 and April 2019. Your doctor will be able to accept your current card or your new card during this time.
Guard your card and your Medicare ID number. CMS put out this short video explaining how and why to protect your Medicare information.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Beware: Social Security scams abound
- Financial scams: Beware of strangers offering help
- No projected increase in standard 2018 Medicare premium, but your premium still may increase
- 2018 Social Security benefits should rise, but checks may not
- Get Advice: A to Z
