With new Medicare cards due to arrive in your mailbox at any time now, questions ranging from what to do with your old one to who do I need to contact to let people know of my new Medicare number are coming daily.
To help clients, anyone currently on Medicare, or individuals that will be eligible for Medicare, I’ve compiled a list of things to know.
Here goes:
1. Mailing will take time – The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid has already started sending out new Medicare cards to different areas of the country. In NH and Maine, they will start sending them out in June. Your card may arrive at a different time than your friend/family or even next door neighbor.
2. Destroy your old Medicare card – Once you get your new Medicare card, you can destroy your old Medicare card. The best way to destroy your old card is to shred it.
3. Guard your new card – Only give your new Medicare number to doctors, pharmacists, or other health care professionals.
4. Your Medicare number is unique to you – The new cards will no longer have your social security number and will now have eleven characters.
5. Your new card will be paper – Paper cards are less expensive, easier to copy for healthcare providers, and if you need to, you are able to print your own replacement card.
6. Keep your new card with you – Carry your new card with you and only show it to your health care providers when you need care. Your doctor/hospital knows these cards are coming and will ask to see your new card.
7. You can find your number – If you lose your card, your doctor or health care provider will be able to look up your new Medicare number online.
8. You will not need to call your Medicare Advantage, your Medicare Supplemental, or your Prescription Drug insurance company – Insurance companies know the change is coming and will be notified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
9. The Federal Trade commission is stating that scammers are already out pretending to be someone from Medicare. If someone calls you and asks for your Social Security number, hang up.
10. Your new card is free to you.
11. Your benefits for Medicare will remain the same.
12. If you do not receive your new card by April 2019, please call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
13. The new Medicare cards will automatically be sent to Medicare beneficiaries. You do not need to do anything providing your mailing address is up to date. If you do need to update your mailing address, you can contact Social Security at 1-800-325-0778.
This endeavor of removing social security numbers from Medicare cards is long overdue. The changes are designed to help prevent fraud and make it much more difficult for criminals to steal your identity. As with any change, questions will come up. Please know that you can always count on Balanced Care to guide you through this transition.
Terri Trepanier is the owner of Balanced Care Health and Supplemental Insurance and a licensed insurance consultant and broker with Associated Brokers. Licensed in both Maine and NH, her specialty is working with small businesses, individuals, and families with their health and life insurance needs. She is certified to offer health plans both on and off the exchange and is contracted with every health insurance company that offers plans in both New Hampshire and Maine. Her other passion is assisting Medicare beneficiaries with their Medicare Supplemental, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Advantage plans. Terri has seen firsthand the importance of insurance products and how they help families. Her goal with Balanced Care is to “Insure Security and Peace of Mind One Family at a Time”.