New Medicare Cards are On the Way

Your new Medicare Card is on the way! Through April 2019 your new Medicare card will automatically come to you. You don’t need to do anything as long as your address is up to date. If your address needs to be corrected, contact Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount or 1-800-772-1213.

The new Medicare cards use a unique combination of letters and numbers to replace the Social Security number that was previously used as the identification number. Your new number is called the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) and uses numbers 0 thru 9. The letters S, L, O, I, B, and Z are never used.

This is being done to prevent fraud, fight identity theft, and keep taxpayer dollars safe. The new card won’t change your coverage or benefits and you will get more information from Medicare when your new card is mailed. Once you receive your new Medicare card, destroy your old card and start using your new card right away.

Be suspicious of anyone who contacts you about your new Medicare card. Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give personal or private information to get your new Medicare number and card. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Physicians/practices must be prepared to use the new Medicare card (MBI) starting April 1, 2018, as patients new to the Medicare program beginning April 2018 will only have cards with MBIs. From April 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019, both Medicare cards will be accepted for Medicare transactions, including eligibility requests and claims. Beginning in Jan. 2020, physicians may only use the new cards.

Our clients are starting to receive their new Medicare cards. If you are receiving a new Medicare card for you family member or loved one, please make sure we get a copy. We are happy to make those for you if you would like to come by the office. Give us a call at 530-671-3308 with any questions, or to make an appointment.