Senior Connections
Farmingdale Public Library
May/June 2018 Newsletter
Topic of the Month
New Medicare Cards Are Coming
Through their website, Medicare.gov, US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that "New Medicare cards are coming". For people enrolled in Medicare, as well as new enrollees, Medicare will mail new Medicare cards between April 2018 and April 2019. Your new card will have a new Medicare number that is unique to you, instead of your Social Security number. This will help to protect your identity.
Things to know about your new Medicare card
- You don't need to take any action to get your new Medicare card
- The new card won't change your Medicare coverage or benefits
- Medicare will never ask you to give personal or private information to get your new Medicare number and card
- There is no charge for your new card; destroy old card after receiving the new one
Watch out for scams
Scam artists may try to get your current Medicare number and other personal information by contacting you about your new Medicare card. They often claim to be from Medicare and use various scams to get your Medicare number including:
- Asking you to confirm your Medicare or Social Security number so they can send you a new card
- Telling you there is a charge for your new card and they need to verify your personal information
- Threatening to cancel your health benefits if you don't share your Medicare number or personal information
