What to know about the new Medicare cards

Beginning this month, Medicare is mailing new cards to everyone with Medicare. With over 55 million Medicare beneficiaries, this changeover takes time; not everyone will get the new cards at once. The new Medicare cards will be sent out over the next 12 months.

A new law prompted this move by requiring that Social Security numbers be removed from Medicare cards. The purpose is to help keep your Social Security number safe. The new cards will have a mix of numbers and letters as identifiers.

You don’t need to do anything. As long as your address is up-to-date, your card will be mailed automatically. The new card does not change your coverage or benefits.

If you have other insurance in addition to Medicare, including a Medicare Advantage Plan, keep that Plan ID card too. Once you receive it, carry your new Medicare card with you as well, in case you are asked to show it at the doctor’s office.

You might be surprised that the new card is paper; that makes it easier for medical offices to make a copy. As always, only give your new Medicare number to doctors, pharmacists, other healthcare providers, your insurers, or to people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf.

Be aware of scams: Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give personal or private information to receive a new Medicare number and card. If someone asks you for your personal information or for money or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share it, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

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Community Caregivers Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides non-medical services including transportation and caregiver support at no charge to residents of Guilderland, Bethlehem, Altamont, New Scotland, Berne, Knox, and the city of Albany through a strong volunteer pool of dedicated individuals with a desire to assist their neighbors.

Our funding is derived in part from the Albany County Department for Aging, the New York State Office for the Aging, and the United States Administration on Aging. To find out more about our services, as well as volunteer opportunities, please visit www.communitycaregivers.org or call us at 518-456-2898.

Editor’s note: Linda Miller is the Outreach and Education coordinator for Community Caregivers.