Simplified Overview of Your New Medicare ID Cards

By: Marilyn Jones, RHU, CHRS, CBC | Vice President

They are finally removing social security numbers from Medicare cards! 😊

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun issuing replacement cards to prevent identity theft and fraud.

Here are some key points to know:

(1) The replacement cards will be sent out between April 2018 and April 2019.

(2) When you receive your new card, shred your old card. If you have Medicare Advantage, keep that card (from the insurance carrier) along with your replacement Medicare card. Carry both cards.

(3) They are calling your new Medicare number an MBI (stands for Medicare Beneficiary Identifier) - and will be a combination of uppercase letters and numbers.

Medicare Resources

You can read more details about the changes with the following free downloadable documents provided by Medicare.gov and AARP:

* Medicare Announcement Flyer: You're Getting a New Card

* Downloadable Medicare PDF: 10 Things To Know About Your New Medicare Card

* AARP - Tips to Avoid Scams for Seniors

You can also visit the dedicated Medicare Card site at Medicare.gov by clicking below:

As a final note, if you need to change your name and/or address, you can change it online through you Social Security account - and that will automatically be applied to your Medicare information. Please reach out to me if you have any questions about your Medicare plan or want to explore other health insurance options in California, I'm happy to help!

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15th to December 7th. Anyone who has Medicare Parts A & B can switch to a Part C plan at that time.