Medicare Card

Your Medicare Card: What You Should Know

Looking for that red, white and blue Medicare card to arrive in your mail? If you're like most people, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare and your card will arrive about three months before your 65th birthday. Or, if you're disabled, it will arrive about three months before the 25th month that you've been receiving Social Security or RRB disability benefits.

But automatic enrollment isn't for everyone. So if that's you, here's how to get your Medicare card.

New to Medicare?

If you're new to Medicare, you'll have to manually apply for a Medicare card if you're one of these people:

• You refused your automatic Medicare Part B enrollment previously and now you're ready to sign up
• You live in Puerto Rico or you receive benefits from the railroad retirement board (RRB), and were automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, but not Medicare Part B
• You have End Stage Renal Disease

Applying for a Medicare card begins with a simple phone call to one of these telephone numbers:

• Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
• RRB: 1-877-772-5772

The whole process takes about ten minutes. You can also sign up online at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.

Already Enrolled?

If you change your coverage, add a dependent, update your address or change other information, you'll get a new Medicare card about 30 days after making the change. You can make changes using the same phone numbers above. Be sure to have the following information for security and identification purposes when you call:

• Your Social Security number
• The name as shown on your Social Security card
• Your date of birth
• Your telephone number
• Your current mailing address (where to send the new card)
• The amount of your last payment
• Other security information as requested

Need a Second Card?

If you're married, you and your spouse should have your own separate Medicare cards with separate Medicare claim numbers. Don't mix them up and never use each other's cards. If one of you lost his or her Medicare card, that person should request a Medicare card replacement.

Replacing a Lost Medicare Card

Order your Medicare card replacement online at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicarecard/. Be sure to report any stolen Medicare cards right away.

Need a Card Now?

Have a doctor's appointment? If you can't wait 30 days for your new card to arrive, you can visit your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 for proof of your Medicare eligibility until you receive your new Medicare card. If you receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you should call your local RRB office or 1-877-772-5772.

Using Your Card

Keep your Medicare card safe and don't let anyone else use it. Always have your card handy whenever you call Medicare with questions. And always take your card with you when you receive any health care products or services. Even if you haven't completed your deductible, you still need to use the card so your doctor can submit a claim. That claim will be applied to your deductible so you can use your benefits sooner. If you receive a new Medicare card, show it to your doctor's office staff so they can make a copy of the update.