Your Medicare card is proof that you’re entitled to health benefits under Medicare. Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this important piece of paper.
When will I receive my Medicare card?
Medicare eligibility begins for most people at age 65. If you’re collecting Social Security benefits beforehand (which you can do starting as early as age 62), you’ll be automatically signed up for Medicare Part A, and you should receive your Medicare card in the mail about three months before your 65th birthday.
If you qualify for Medicare because of a disability, you’ll get your card in the mail about three months before your 25th month of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits (if you qualify due to ALS or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you do not have to wait two years for Medicare to begin).
If you need to sign up for Medicare yourself (which you’ll do through the Social Security Administration) as opposed to being automatically enrolled, you’ll generally get your card in the mail within 30 days of enrolling.
What should I do if I don't receive my Medicare card?
If you don’t receive your Medicare card, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You can also log onto your Social Security account and make sure the mailing address on file is correct.
What does a Medicare card look like?
Your Medicare card is red, white, and blue, and it contains your name and your Medicare ID number. Note that your card will not contain your or your spouse’s Social Security Number. This change was implemented in 2018 and 2019, when new cards and ID numbers were issued to all beneficiaries, to help keep Social Security numbers private.
Your Medicare card will indicate whether you have Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or both. If you have Part A, it will say “HOSPITAL (PART A)” and if you have Part B, it will say MEDICAL (PART B).” Finally, your Medicare card will note the date when your health coverage began.
You may be surprised to see that your Medicare card is paper, not plastic. Paper cards are easier for providers to copy, which is why Medicare uses this approach. (If someone offers you a plastic Medicare card, it’s a scam.)
Should I carry my Medicare card with me?
Yes, the government recommends that you should carry your Medicare card with you when you’re away from home, as you will need it if and when you need to obtain medical care, including inpatient or outpatient care. But they also recommend that you “protect your Medicare Number like a credit card.”
You’ll use your Original Medicare card to fill prescriptions only if they are covered by Medicare Part B (examples include drugs that are administered in a doctor’s office via an infusion). In all other cases, you’ll use your Part D prescription drug plan when filling prescriptions. (Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage, in which case you’ll use your Advantage plan’s card to fill prescriptions.)
You should not share that card with anyone in a non-medical capacity. For example, your bank does not need a copy of your Medicare card. Remember, even though Medicare cards no longer list Social Security numbers, they still contain personal information, like your unique Medicare ID number, so be careful about who sees that card. Keep in mind that Medicare will not call you over the phone asking you to confirm your personal ID number. If someone calls asking for that, assume it’s a scam.
Is my Medicare card the only proof of health coverage I'll need?
Your Medicare card will not indicate whether you have Medicare Advantage, a Medicare Part D drug plan, or supplemental insurance (such as a Medigap plan). Generally, you’ll get a separate card from your plan administrator for each of these plans. If you have Medicare Advantage or Medigap, it’s a good idea to also carry those cards with you when seeing providers in addition to your regular Medicare card, and you’ll need your Part D or Medicare Advantage card when you fill prescriptions at the pharmacy.
(Note that if you have Medicare Advantage, you will use your Medicare Advantage ID card instead of the regular Medicare ID card. But if you have Original Medicare plus Medigap and/or Part D, you’ll use your Original Medicare card plus your Medigap card when receiving services covered by Medicare Part A and Part B, and you’ll use your Part D card at the pharmacy.)
How do I replace a lost Medicare card?
You can order a replacement Medicare card, or print a new one yourself, by logging into your Medicare account. Or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE to request that a new card be sent to you. If you need in-person assistance, you can visit your local Social Security office and request a replacement Medicare card.
Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans are issued by private insurers and come with their own insurance cards. Contact your insurer directly if you need to replace one of these cards.
Maurie Backman has been writing professionally for well over a decade, and her coverage area runs the gamut from healthcare to personal finance to career advice. Much of her writing these days revolves around retirement and its various components and challenges, including healthcare, Medicare, Social Security, and money management.
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