MN068 How Do I Replace My Medicare Card?

Medicare Nation

Hey Medicare Nation!

Many of you carry your Medicare ID card in your wallet or purse. If you are a Medicare Advantage beneficiary, you have a “separate” medical ID card from the insurance carrier. It is not necessary to carry your Medicare ID card, If you have a Medicare Advantage ID card.

Who should carry their Medicare ID Card?

If the official Medicare program is your “primary” insurance, you should be carrying your Medicare ID card.

Now….. let me discuss with you how you can carry your Medicare ID card in a safer way.

Currently, your Medicare ID Card has your Social Security number on it, with a letter at the end of your Social Security number. If you have your social security number memorized, take these steps to help prevent “identity theft.”

1. Make a copy of your Medicare ID Card
2. Place your original Medicare ID Card in a safe place.
3. Take a Black Permanent Marker and “black out” all of the numbers of your social security number( except the last four numbers and the letter), on the copy.
4. Laminate the copy
5. Put this copy of your Medicare ID card in your wallet or purse.

If you are on a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Supplement to Medicare Plan, you should be carrying the Medical ID card the insurance carrier provided you.

If you have a stand-alone prescription drug plan, you will also have a separate card for your prescriptions. You will need to carry this card in your wallet or purse also.

How Do I Replace My Medicare ID Card if I Lost it or it Was Stolen?

If you made a copy of your Medicare ID Card like I described above, you won’t have a problem.

You can retrieve your Medicare ID Card from it’s safe place and make a new copy of the card.

If you didn’t make a copy of your Medicare ID Card, you will need to ask the Social Security Administration for a replacement card.

Follow these steps:

You can ask for a Medicare Replacement Card :

1. Online
2. By phone
3. At a local Social Security office location A.Online
   1. Go to ssa.gov
   2. You’ll see pretty pictures on the home page. On the left side is a picture, with the caption… “Learn What You Can Do Online.”
   3. “Click” on the that photo.
   4. When the next page opens, look down to about the 7th
   5. It will read….”If you get Social Security benefits or have Medicare you can….”
   6. “Click” on that line.
   7. Sign in or Register for a “My Social Security Account.”
   8. 5th line down should read….. “Get a Replacement Medicare Card”
   9. Select – “Replacement Documents” tab.
   10. Fill out the required information.
   11. If the site “accepts” your information, you are all set! You should receive your replacement Medicare Card in 30 – 60 days.
   12. If the site shows any kind of “error” or “red flags,” you will need to physically go down to a local Social Security location. B. By Phone

1. Call 800 - 633 - 4227

C. Social Security Office

1. Click on the "Social Security Location" tab and put in your zip code to find the nearest location to you.

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