What to Do If Your Medicare Card is Lost or Stolen
You’re going through your wallet at the grocery store, ready to check out, and something is wrong. Your Medicare card, which you always keep in the same spot, is gone!
Losing your Medicare card can cause you to panic. The effect could be even worse if you know the card has been stolen. What should do? Can you get another card or will you be fined? What if you have a medical emergency while it’s gone? These are all very common questions and concerns, and luckily, the solution is quite simple!
No matter what form of Medicare you may have, getting a new Medicare card is easy. But keep in mind, replacing the card isn’t the only thing to consider, depending on why you need to get a new card.
Getting a New Medicare Card for Original Medicare
Beneficiaries with Original Medicare can request a new card in a few places. First, you can sign into MyMedicare.gov, where you’ll be able to find and print a copy of your Original Medicare card. You can also go to the Social Security Administration’s website, SSA.gov, and sign into your my Social Security account. From there, navigate to the “Replacement Documents” page and select “Mail my replacement Medicare Card.”
If you’re unable to, or do not wish to, request a new Original Medicare card online, you have two other options. First, you can contact or visit your local Social Security office, which can help you request a new card. The other option is to call Social Security at 1-800-722-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) anytime between 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Friday.
You should receive your new Original Medicare card in the mail within 30 days.
Once you’ve requested your replacement card, you should receive your new Original Medicare card in the mail within 30 days. If you need your Medicare details sooner than 30 days, you can request a letter that may act as a temporary proof of enrollment. This letter should arrive in around 10 days. These items will be sent to the address that Social Security has on file for you.
Note: If you enrolled in Medicare through the Railroad Retirement Board, you must request a replacement card on RRB.gov, by calling 1-877-772-5772 (TTY 1-312-751-4701), or by contacting your local Railroad Retirement Board office.
Replacing Your Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Med Supp Card
If you receive Medicare benefits through a private company, like a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, or Medicare Supplement insurance carrier, you’ll need to call your carrier’s customer service hotline or visit their website. From there, you should be able to request a replacement card, which should arrive at your address within 30 days.
What to Do If Your Medicare Card is Lost or Stolen
If your card is lost or stolen, you’ll want to report that the card was lost or stolen and get a new card. You’ll also need to watch out for Medicare fraud.
To do this, closely monitor your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that you receive every three months or after receiving services, respectively. These notices list services provided, the amount your Medicare coverage paid, and how much the beneficiary (you) must pay.
If you notice any services or claims on the MSN or EOB that you didn’t receive or ask for, report it immediately by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048). Inform them that you’ve found a concerning claim. You may also report it online.
Store a Copy in a Safe Place
Finally, it’s a good idea to make a copy of your Medicare card, or record any important Medicare numbers or identifiers, so that you still have them should you lose or damage the card. While your primary care physician should have your Medicare information on file should you need to visit before getting a new card, it’s smart to have the information available on the off-chance that you need it.
If you do make a copy of your Medicare information, it’s essential that you keep it in a safe, secure location. Specifically, a safe or lockbox are good for important documents like those that contain your Medicare information, passports, or Social Security cards. Securing your personally identifiable information is the best course of action to take to protect yourself from identity theft.
● ● ●
Losing your Medicare card can be scary because you’re at risk for fraud and having your personal information stolen. The anxiety is heightened if you know for sure your card has been stolen. But, if you watch for fraud and request a new card, you should be able to get things back to normal quickly!
Featured Blogs
- Learning to Ski
- The Stories Behind Classic Christmas Carols
- 4 More Tips to Make Christmas Tree Hunt Less Stressful
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Other Festive Holidays
- A Senior Guide to Boston
- A Senior Guide to Edinburgh
- How Does Medicare Cover Osteoporosis?
- What are Ulcers?
- Medicare's Coverage of Parkinson's Disease
- What is a Cognitive Screening?
- Spooky Spots for Halloween 2023
- 4 Ways to Keep Trick-or-Treating Safe
- 10 Classic Horror Books for Halloween
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2024
- 10 Safety Rules for Seniors Who Enjoy Hunting
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- A Senior Guide to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- A Senior Guide to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- All About Enrolling in Social Security
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Madrid
- Does Medicare Cover Open-Heart Surgery?
- Exercise Tips for Summer
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lisbon
- Hosting a Safe Summer Barbecue
- Senior Summer Barbecue Tips
- Does Medicare Cover Biopsies?
- 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Finger Lakes
- Does Medicare Cover Endoscopies?
- Ways Seniors Can Recover from a Workout
- Is Chocolate Healthy for You?
- Understanding Adult ADHD
- How Does Medicare Cover Hypertension?
- The Symptoms and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
- How to Determine What Temperature to Use When Cooking
- Eating Healthy on a Budget
- Keeping Fit on Vacation
- Is Your Tonsillectomy Covered by Medicare?
- Tips for the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Kitchen First Aid Tips
- What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Guide to New York City
- How to Caramelize Onions
- Why Do We Celebrate That? April Fools’ Day
- Medicare and Powers of Attorney
- The Essential Role of Eggs in Cooking
- What are Different Types of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine? - Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine
- What is Medicare Part E?
- Building Your Basic At-Home Senior Gym
- How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to New Orleans
- How to Navigate & Read Academic Articles
- Phytonutrients: What Plant Color Says About Nutrition
- How to Prevent or Reduce Inflammation
- Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Signs, and Treatment
- How to Make Homemade Pretzels
- Researching Your Ancestry and Family Tree
- How Medicare and Social Security Work Together
- What is Nordic Walking?
- Food Questions You've Been Embarrassed to Ask
- How Medicare Changed for 2023 and Beyond
- Tips for Using a Microwave
- How to Clean Your Ears Safely
- Skiing as a Healthy Hobby for Seniors
- 3 More Great Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve
- Why Do We Celebrate That? More New Year's Eve Traditions
- Panettone, the Italian Christmas Dessert
- A Simple Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
- How to Make Christmas Decorating Jollier
- The Science of Winter Weight Gain
- Seasonal Picks: 3 Foods You Should Try This Winter
- 5 Tips to Make Getting Your Christmas Tree Stress-Free
- Show-Stopping Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Boeuf Bourguignon
- Holiday Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
- Does Medicare Cover Pain Management?
- Is Hunting a Healthy Senior Hobby?
- Ways You Can Get More Politically Involved
- What are Medicare's Lifetime Reserve Days?
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2022
- How to Make Soul Cakes for Halloween
- Jack O' Lantern Carving Tips for Halloween
- Easy Ways to Peel a Potato
- 2023 Social Security COLA Largest in Decades
- Exercise Tips for Autumn
- How to Make Candy Apples at Home
- Why are Medicare Insurance Sales Calls Recorded?
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2023
- CMS Updates Medicare Enrollment Rules for 2023
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to London
- Does Medicare Cover Insomnia Treatment?
- Healthy and Easy Homemade Dog Treats
- The FDA Finalizes Ruling to Increase Access to Hearing Aids
- What the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Means for Medicare
- Tips to Make Flying and Airports Less Stressful
- CMS Projects Lower 2023 Part D Average Costs
- The 15 Golden Rules of Airplane Etiquette
- How Often Should You Shower?
- What are Medicare Pilot Programs?
- How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
- Confronting a Loved One About Hurtful Behavior
- What Does Creditable Coverage Mean for Medicare?
- Using Za'atar in Your Cooking
- Dealing with Canceled Flights
- Protecting Your Vacation from Flight Disruptions
- Do Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Medicare Coverage?
- Which is Better: A Bath or Shower?
- Are Weight Loss Medications Healthy?
- Healthy Strategies for Anger Management
- The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- The Difference Between Common Cooking Papers and Foils
- What are Medicare I-SNPs?
- Identifying Toxic Relationships in Your Life
- Healthy Ways to Spice Up Your Water
- All About Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
- Medicareful Travels: A Senior Guide to All-Inclusive Resorts
- Does Medicare Cover Occupational Therapy?
- Lower 2023 Medicare Part B Premium Could Be on the Way
- Which is Better: Natural or Artificial Sweeteners?
- Tips for Vacationing with Pets
- Is It Better to Work Out Harder or Longer?
- Tips for Traveling with Your Pet
- Are Medicare Part B Giveback Plans Worth It?
- Introducing the Medicareful Living Family Cookbook!
- Medicare Coverage for Treatment of PTSD
- The Causes and Treatments of Nasal Congestion
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Spring Rolls
- Medicare Freezes Late Enrollment Penalties for Qualifying Enrollees
- What is a 5-Star Medicare Plan?
- What is PTSD?
- What is Inflammation?
- What is Medicare's Secondary Payer Program?
- What You Should Know When Buying Cast Iron Cookware
- What Does MACRA Mean for You?
- What to Do If You Receive a Terminal Diagnosis
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Homemade Lobster Ravioli
- Reading and Understanding Your Blood Pressure
- How to Be a Snowbird in Retirement (18 Questions to Ask!)