What to Know About Your Medicare Card
May 24, 2022 | Kari Mellone
When you start Medicare, it’s helpful to know exactly how to use your new Medicare card. Where should you keep it, when do you show it, and how do you keep it safe? We’ll cover all of this and more below.
What to Know About Your Medicare Card
For most people, the red, white and blue Medicare card will come in the mail during the month of their 65th birthday. It will include your full name, your official Medicare recipient identifier (or Medicare Beneficiary Identifier MBI), and your start dates for Medicare Part A and Part B.
Using Your Medicare Card
If you have decided to supplement your Medicare with Medigap (supplemental insurance), you’ll want to carry three cards when you get services: your Medicare card, your Medigap card, and for pharmacy use, your free-standing prescription drug carrier’s card.
If you have decided to join a Medicare Advantage plan (MAPD), you can leave your Medicare card in a safe spot. You will get all your services with your Medicare Advantage carrier’s card. Your drug plan is likely bundled within your overall plan, so the Advantage plan card is what you will present at the pharmacy, too.
If you are still working past 65 and are covered by a workplace plan, be aware of special timing considerations for enrolling and receiving your card. You may have applied for Part A only, which will generate a card with your unique number and your Part A start date. The Part B field will be blank. If that’s the case, examine your card to be sure it is accurate and as expected.
Keep Your Medicare Information Safe and Secure
Not so many years ago, Medicare IDs used Social Security numbers. In November 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) began converting all Medicare recipients to a new number. Personal safety concerns ushered in a new random number/letter generator process. Today’s Medicare numbers have no hidden codes or sequences at all. They are purely random.
Even so, your Medicare number is still considered to be personal and private. If anyone other than a medical provider or a trusted insurance agent asks you to divulge it, their purpose is likely fraudulent.
How to Replace Your Medicare Card
Did you happen to misplace or damage your Medicare card? If so, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to order a replacement card.
Need to know more about starting Medicare and what to expect? Contact the experienced team at Twin City Underwriters to help you navigate your Medicare options.
Choosing a Medicare plan can be difficult. Twin City Underwriters helps Medicare recipients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Florida find the Medicare plan that meets their unique needs. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with one of our Medicare insurance brokers to get your questions answered!