Are you enrolled in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and B)? If yes, then you need your Medicare card to prove that you enrolled. So, If you want to receive Medicare-covered services and care, you must have your medicare card handy.
Expect to get your Medicare card depending on your situation. For example, If you’re currently receiving disability benefits, then you can expect your Medicare card to be in your mailbox 25 months after you get your first Social Security check. If you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, then you can expect your card to be in your mailbox about 3 months before you turn 65.
New Medicare Card:
What should you do if you are almost 65 and not receiving retirement benefits? Then you must enroll during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This enrollment period runs through the 3 months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the 3 months after you turn 65. The enrollment period runs for a total of 7 months. Your card should be in the mail within 30 days of approval.
Read on to learn more about when you will receive your card in the mail if you have ERSD or ALS
If you have lost your Medicare card, you can apply for a replacement through the Social Security Website. Read on to learn about how you can replace it.
If you are enrolling in original Medicare or requesting a new card, then confirm your address is up to date or else it won’t show up in your mailbox.
To learn more about your Medicare card, how to use it, and when you will get it in the mail — continue reading this article.
As a Medicare beneficiary, the most important piece of identification you own is your red, white, and blue Medicare card. It is proof that you enrolled in Original Medicare. And generally, you will need your Medicare card if you want to receive Medicare-covered services.
When should you expect your Medicare card
Are you already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits? If yes, then expect to get your Medicare card in the mail about three months before you turn 65. If you qualify for Social Security benefits, you will qualify for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) as well. In order for Medicare coverage to begin when you turn 65, you will need to enroll in Medicare Part B (medical insurance) at the time that you apply for retirement benefits.
Who qualifies for Medicare? If you are an American citizen or legal permanent resident of at least five consecutive years and at least 65 years old, you qualify. Or you can qualify by disability (see below).
What if you are currently receiving disability benefits? You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare after 24 months of receiving disability. So if you currently are receiving certain Social Security or RRB disability benefits, you qualify for enrollment. So, the 25th month after you receive your first Social Security check, expect your Medicare card in your mailbox.
If you are an individual with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare the same month that your disability benefits begin.
If you are an individual with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you can manually enroll for Medicare Part A and/or Part B through Social Security any time before or after turning 65.
Are you almost 65 and not yet obtaining retirement benefits? Not all beneficiaries automatically become enrolled in Medicare. If you are close to turning 65 and you are not yet receiving retirement benefits, here’s what you need to understand:
- You will need to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Your IEP begins three months before you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and 3 months after the month you turn 65 (A total of 7 months).
- You can apply for Medicare Part A and/or Part B through Social Security. If at any time, you worked for a railroad, you need to apply through the Railroad Retirement Board.
- Depending on which month you sign up during your IEP will determine the start of your coverage. Once you sign up, then you should receive your Medicare card within 30 days of approval.
How to apply for a Medicare card
If you want to manually enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B, you can do so through the following ways:
- By calling Social Security toll-free at 1–800–772–1213 (TTY users 1–800–325–0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM. If you worked at a railroad, then call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1–877–772–5772 (TTY users 1–312–751–4701), Monday through Friday, from 8AM to 3:30PM.
- Online through the Social Security website
- By visiting your local Social Security Office
How to replace your Medicare card
If you need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Medicare card, applying for a new Medicare card is simple. You can apply for a replacement card through Social Security. You will need to provide personal information such as your date of birth, full name, phone number and Social Security number.
Be sure to always keep your mailing address up to date because any Medicare card replacements will be sent to the last mailing address on file. Replacement Medicare cards are then mailed to your address in about 30 days of approval.
Visit your local Social Security office immediately if you need proof of Medicare coverage.
How to use your Medicare card
The first time you visit your healthcare provider, you need to bring your original Medicare card with you. They will then make a photocopy of your card for their own files.
Make a note of these important rules for handling your Medicare card:
- Have your medicare card available for whenever you call Medicare with questions.
- Under no circumstances should you share your Medicare card or with anyone except your healthcare provider or your doctor. If married, your spouse should have a different Medicare card and Medicare ID number. Keep your Medicare card in a safe place and protect it.
- Make sure your doctor has the updated Medicare card on file each time you update or replace it
- Some labs, pharmacies, or other health care providers make it mandatory for you to bring your Medicare card each time you receive a service. But for safety purposes, you may want to leave your Medicare card in a safe place like home at other times
If you believe that someone else has used your Medicare card without your knowledge, contact your local authorities or the Federal Trade Commisions ID Theft Hotline at 1–877–438–4338 (TTY users 1–877–486–2048).
What To Know About Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D cards
The Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D cards will look different from the red, white, and blue Medicare card you received for Original Medicare. This is because Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) are available through private insurers. Thus, you will get a different card from the insurance company. The card will include the name of the private insurer. And sometimes there will also be a logo stating your plan type.
Depending on the plan, you may only have a single card for all your medical and prescription drug needs. This is only if your Medicare Advantage plan includes prescription drug coverage. If that is the case, then you will only need to show your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card to pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors. Therefore, you want to care for the safety of the Medicare card and leave it at home or in a safe place if possible.
In cases where you have both Original Medicare and Medicare Part D, you will have separate identification cards. If you have any questions about your identification card, contact your private insurer.