Posted on 02/26/2018 11:16:38 AM PST by sodpoodle
This spring: Look for your new Medicare card in the mail Beginning April 2018 and through April 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be sending you a replacement Medicare card. The new cards do not include a Social Security number and will help to prevent fraud, reduce identity theft and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
What does this mean for you? • You will receive a new Medicare card with a new Medicare number that is NOT based on your Social Security number. Begin using your new card immediately upon receiving it and destroy your old Medicare card.
Had not been aware of this 'new card' issue. No mail from Medicare or Soc.Sec.
Can anyone add to this info??????
The gov is a day late and a dollar short, if anyone wants your ss # they’ve got it.
Here’s the official Gov. site on Medicare cards.
https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/12012-New-Medicare-Card-Conference-Card.pdf
Exactly - this does nothing to protect our SS# which has been the most common ID number required for financial transactions for decades. Medicare cards are primarily for medical transactions.
I noticed mention of the new cards on the Medicare website last fall when I was checking out the 2018 Medicare changes.
Thanks for posting.
I receive an updated Medicare handbook every year, and usually stick it in a drawer without looking at it. After seeing your post, I checked out the 2018 handbook, and it does include information on the new Medicare card.
Seems like the CMS could have sent notices out when the change was originally authorized. You ‘found’ out by ‘accident’ and I just received an email from my geezer friend!
The reason I started the thread is my belief that many FReepers are either seniors or nearly there;)
God bless
****I receive an updated Medicare handbook every year, and usually stick it in a drawer without looking at it.*****
OOoops!
Me too. LOL!
How does a Medicare number not attached to the Social Security number reduce abuse? It might save the SSN from being stolen, but without the connection to a person’s other records it’s tough to understand how verification can be done.
I’ve read you should carry a photocopy of your Medicare card with your SS number blacked out...or at most show the last four digits of your SS.
I’m glad to see the government is right on top of the identity fraud crisis. It’s only been with us for 25 years.
I’m sure the massive database that links your Medicare account number to your SS Number is 100% secure and can never be hacked. I have total faith in my government to do things right and to promptly attend to any problems. Identity theft arose as a problem in the mid 90s. See how fast government responded to the modern plague of identity theft? Those guys are really on top of things, I tell you.
Looks like the medical database has been hacked. Obamacare?
Certainly bad to issue the cards during tax filing season and add to an already confused government.
Where is the part about a scam?
I can. I use an advantage plan so I use the insurance company's card and carry neither a SS card nor a medicare card so I don't worry about the SS number getting lost or stolen.
And I never have to talk to anyone at Medicare.
***Where is the part about a scam?***
I expect it is just a pre-emptive warning not to give out the Medicare number if contacted by someone other than your healthcare providers. Scam artists latch on to every ‘new’ identity protocol.
The second paragraph. It cautions to watch out for scammers:
With these new security measures comes an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting Medicare recipients. If you are currently receiving or plan to enroll in Medicare, be particularly cautious if someone comes to your door or calls you and claims to represent Medicare. These people will claim to be representatives to gain your trust so they can steal your money, personal information, or social security number. The receipt of this new card will be automatic. You don’t have to do anything.
Got it. Thanks.
If you think the government is confused, you should see my understanding of any of this stuff. I read the whole page of instructions and have no idea what I read. I have never been able to read and understand anything the government puts out. I have a faded S.S. card from the ancient days which I have used as well for medicare. Somebody tell me just one thing. Do I have to show up at the S.S. office and refile for S.S. and Medicare? If I’m good with what I have now. I will hold on to whatever cards they send and do nothing.
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