I’ve seen a few articles about the new Medicare cards that will be mailed to eligible persons. In Kansas that should be happening between June 2018 and April 2019. The reason new cards are being issued is to help keep your information more secure and help protect your identity. You will get a new Medicare Number that is unique to you, and it will only be used for your Medicare coverage. The new MBI (Medicare Beneficiary Identifier) will be 11 characters in length. The new card will not change your coverage or benefits. You will get more information from Medicare when your new card is mailed.
Here are some steps you can follow to get ready:
- Make sure your mailing address is up to date. If your address needs to be corrected, contact Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount or call: 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.
- Beware of anyone who contacts you about your new Medicare card. You should never be asked to give personal or private information in order to get your new Medicare Number and card. New cards will be mailed to beneficiaries, and no one connected with Medicare will be calling or knocking on doors.
- Understand that mailing everyone a new card will take some time. Your card might arrive at a different time than your friend’s or neighbor’s.
When your new card does arrive consider these tips:
- Destroy the old card immediately upon receiving the new one. Use the new ID number for all Medicare transactions from that point on.
- If you have Medicare questions, call the Senior Health Insurance Counselors of Kansas (SHICK). The number is 800-860-5260. You can also see a short video on the new cards at www.cms.gov/medicare/new-medicare-card/nmc-home.html
- If you have a Medicare Supplement or a Part D prescription drug plan, keep those identification cards. They are separate from the regular Medicare coverage.
Donna Krug is the District Director and Family & Consumer Science Agent for K-State Research & Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or [email protected]