Get Ready for New Medicare Cards

Between April, 2018 and April, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will mail new Medicare cards to all people with Medicare.  The new cards will have a new unique Medicare Number instead of a Social Security Number.  Medicare will automatically mail the new cards to the beneficiary address on file with the Social Security Administration. 

CMS will mail the new cards in waves.  Starting in April 2018, people with Medicare will be able to check the status of card mailings in their area on Medicare .gov. The first wave of cards will be mailed between April and June to people with Medicare in the following 11 states and territories:

• Alaska
•  American Samoa
•  California
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Guam
• Hawaii
• Maryland
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• West Virginia

After receiving a new card, people with Medicare are advised to take 3 steps to make it harder for someone to steal their information and identity:

1. Destroy your old Medicare card.
2. Use your new card right away. Doctors, other health care providers, and plans approved by Medicare know that Medicare is replacing the old cards and are ready to accept the new cards. 
3. Beware of people contacting you about your new Medicare card and asking you for your Medicare Number, personal information, or to pay a fee for your new card.  If you think someone is trying to steal your identity or otherwise commit fraud related to the new Medicare cards, you can report them to  your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).

Information and resources for partners and providers related to the roll-out of the new cards is available from CMS.gov.