Faith Regional Health Services | living WELL | Spring 2018

10 ENROLLED IN MEDICARE? You may have recently received a new Medicare card in the mail. To prevent identify theft, Medicare is removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. In April 2018, Medicare began mailing new Medicare cards that include a new Medicare number. Here are 10 things you need to know about your new card. 1 Mailing takes time. Your card may arrive at a different time than your friend’s or neighbor’s. 2 Destroy your old Medicare card. Once you get your new Medicare card, destroy your old Medicare cards and start using your new card right away. 3 Guard your card. Only give your new Medicare number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers, your insurers or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf. 4 Your Medicare number is unique. You card has a new number instead of your Social Security number. This new number is unique to you. 5 Your new card is paper. Paper cards are easier for many providers to use and copy, and they save taxpayers a lot of money. Plus, you can print your own replacement card if you need one. 6 Keep your new card with you. Carry your new card and show it to your health care providers when you need care. 7 Your doctor knows it’s coming. Doctors, other providers and health care facilities will ask for your new Medicare card when you need care. 8 You can find your number. If you forget your new card, you doctor or other health care provider may be able to look up your number online. 9 Keep your Medicare Advantage card. If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like HMO or PPO), your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is still your main card for Medicare. You should still keep and use it whenever you need care. However, you may be asked to show your new Medicare card, so you should carry this too. 10 Help is available. If you don’t get your new Medicare card by April 2019, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) . TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048 . Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services about your new Medicare card 10 FAITH REGIONAL HEALTH SERVICES things to know