Seniors, can we talk?
Have you gotten yours? Ruth has – it’s new and looks a little different. What did she get? Ruth received her NEW Medicare card. Even though it still shows “Medicare Health Insurance” at the top, everything else is a little different: 1) instead of “name of beneficiary” it has “name”, 2) instead of “Medicare Claim Number” it has “Medicare Number” and 3) instead of “effective date” it has “coverage starts”. Not many changes, so why a new card? The big difference is the Medicare number. Congress mandated that new Medicare cards be issued, since it may not be safe for Medicare beneficiaries to have their Social Security number so readily and easily available. Medicare is required to take Social Security numbers off Medicare cards. If all goes according to plan, by April 2019 nearly 58 million Americans currently on Medicare will have their new Medicare card – WOW! now that’s a huge project. The new cards do not display your Social Security number. This should help protect your identity, prevent fraud and keep your personal information more secure. Your new Medicare card will have a random series of numbers and letters that are completely unique to you. This new “number” will only be used for your Medicare coverage. What should you do when you receive your new card? DESTROY your old Medicare card – either shred it or cut it up in tiny pieces. Then replace it with your new card. You can start using your new Medicare card right away. This new card does not change your Medicare benefits or coverage. Your providers (doctors, hospitals) know that new Medicare cards are being issued. If your providers ask for the new card, be ready to provide it to them. Then stash the card away for safekeeping. Carrying it around may create a theft risk. Haven’t received your new Medicare card yet? You should soon. Beginning June new cards are being mailed to Medicare beneficiaries in Arkansas (they are being mailed out in phases based on the state you live in). Watch out for scams. Scammers may take this opportunity to try to get your personal information. Typically these scammers or fraudsters call pretending to be Medicare representatives. They say they want to “update your file”. Sometimes they almost sound threatening. As a rule Medicare or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is not going to initiate a call to you unless you have granted permission in advance. You will not receive a legitimate call asking for your personal or private information. The Social Security Administration may call beneficiaries for customer service purposes, but their representatives never ask for personal information. If someone does call you, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 (800-Medicare) and let them know. Your new Medicare card is free. You do not need to do anything to get it. Your new card does not change your Medicare coverage and you will not lose any benefits. Got concerns or questions? Call 501-868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?”.
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AuthorCaroline Beauchamp specializes in personalized life and health insurance solutions. Archives
September 2023
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