We all lose things, even the important things—car keys, cell phones, wallets! If your Medicare card is ever lost, damaged, or stolen (like with your wallet!), don’t panic. Missing Medicare cards are more common than you think, and you have options to get your card back and safeguard your information.
If you ever find that you’ve misplaced your Medicare card, here are the steps to take.
Report Your Missing Medicare Card as Soon as Possible
As soon as you realize your Medicare card is missing, you need to report it. First be sure your card is not merely misplaced, like within a stack of bills or Medicare statements or dropped in the wrong sleeve within your wallet.
When you’re sure your Medicare card is gone, here’s where and how to report your missing Medicare card:
Contact the Social Security Administration
As the Social Security Administration (SSA) is where you verified your benefits eligibility and completed your initial enrollment for Medicare, it’s also your first point of contact for reporting your lost or stolen card.
You have the same options for reporting your missing Medicare card as you had for enrolling in Medicare with the SSA:
- In person at your local SSA office.
- On the phone with the SSA’s toll-free number (1-800-772-1213).
- Online through your personal “my Social Security” account.
Contact Medicare
You’ll also want to report your missing card to Medicare. You can call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report your missing card and request a new one. You can also go to Medicare’s website to connect with a representative via Live Chat and report your missing card.
Reporting the loss of your Medicare card as soon as possible helps initiate the process of getting a replacement card and reduces the risk of unauthorized use of your Medicare information.
Request a Replacement Medicare Card
Getting a replacement Medicare card is simple, and you should be able to request a replacement card when you report your missing card.
If you go to your local Social Security Administration office in-person to report your missing card, you can request a replacement Medicare card while you’re there by filling out a short form. If you call the SSA and/or Medicare to report your missing card, you can request a replacement card while you’re on the phone with the representative. They should be able to take down or look up your information to mail a new card to you.
If you go the online route, you should be able to request or even print out a replacement card via your online account(s).
- My Social Security Account: Log in to your “My Social Security” account to access “Representative Payee Services.” Select the “Medicare Replacement Card” link to request your replacement card and verify or update your address to receive your new card in the mail.
- Medicare.gov Account: Log in to your Medicare.gov account where you can download and/or print out a copy of your current card. You can also report your missing card and request a physical replacement card. Just navigate to the section for ordering a new card.
After submitting your replacement request (whether in person, by phone, or online), it should take about 30 days for your new Medicare card to arrive via the mail. In the meantime, keep an eye out for suspicious mail and other communications that could be signs that your Medicare information and/or identity have been compromised and is being used by scammers to commit Medicare fraud.
Watch for Medicare Fraud and Identity Theft
If your Medicare card was stolen or lost and then “found” by bad actors, you could become the victim of Medicare fraud and/or medical identity theft. Reporting that your Medicare card is missing as soon as you realize it alerts representatives at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that your information could have been compromised. However, don’t assume that they are going to flag or catch suspicious activity on your Medicare account.
Here’s how to be proactive and vigilant in looking for the signs of Medicare fraud and misuse:
Check Your Medicare Statements for Unauthorized Charges
Watch for any inaccuracies, “duplicate” services, or questionable payments on your statements, as these can be red flags for Medicare fraud. Double check any bill for services provided against your quarterly Medicare Summary Notice that comes from Medicare. Be sure the bill aligns with the service dates and Medicare payments on your statement.
If you receive a bill for medical services and prescriptions you never received or never even ordered, you may be the victim of medical identity theft. A scammer is using your Medicare number to access medical care, supplies, and services and then leaving you and Medicare to foot the bill. If not caught early, these fraudulent claims could use up your Medicare benefits, leading to denied coverage for medical supplies and services you need, or even calls from debt collectors for unpaid medical bills and debts you don’t owe, which can affect your credit.
Sign Up for Credit and Identity Theft Monitoring
Losing your current Medicare card with its randomly generated ID number should not immediately threaten your personal or financial security. Medicare began replacing Medicare cards that had beneficiaries’ Social Security Numbers in 2018, with all new enrollees receiving the more secure cards as of 2019. However, if the Medicare card you lost (or was stolen) is this old version with your Social Security Number, your financial and personal identity could be compromised.
If you believe you could become a victim of fraud or identity theft due to your lost or stolen Medicare card, you can place an initial fraud alert on your credit report for free with any (or all) of the three national credit bureaus. If you’re still concerned and want extra protection, many identity theft protection services offer comprehensive monitoring of your personally identifiable information—SSN, Medicare number, bank accounts, driver’s license number, and more—along with insurance providing financial coverage for identity theft. This can be helpful if your card is used in Medicare fraud and medical bills and debt are incurred in your name.
Protect Your Medicare Card and Information
Once you have your replacement Medicare card, you don’t want to go through the hassle of replacing it again or worrying about the security of your personal information. Here are some steps you can take to protect your Medicare card and safeguard your information:
Treat Your Medicare Card Like a Credit Card
Think about how closely you watch and carefully use your credit cards. Handle your Medicare card the same way. Don’t leave your Medicare card out where it can be misplaced or hand it over to anyone who asks for it without verifying why. Do not give out your Medicare information to anyone who calls, emails, or texts asking for it. If your Medicare card is lost or stolen (again), report it immediately and be sure to watch your statements and medical billing for any fraudulent activity.
Avoid Carrying Your Medicare Card With You
The best way to prevent your Medicare card from being lost or stolen is to not carry it with you. Instead, keep it in a secure place with other insurance information and sensitive documents in your home. Your doctor, medical staff, insurers, and verified Medicare representatives are the only people who should have, or be asking for, your Medicare information. If you’re seeing the same healthcare providers, they should have your Medicare card on file. The only time you should need to have your Medicare card with you to present is the first time you visit a new healthcare provider.
If you do leave your card at home, do not write your number down on a scrap of paper and put it in your wallet as a “secure” alternative. Again, think of your Medicare number like a credit card number and do not write it down in random places or where thieves could easily spot it.
Set Up an Online Medicare Account
If you have not set up an online account at Medicare.gov, you may want to consider doing so. The free account allows you to securely access and manage your Medicare information, including your Medicare card. You can download a digital copy to save on your phone to avoid carrying your physical card or quickly print out a replacement card.
If you have concerns that your information may have been compromised (like from a missing Medicare card), you can view claims and statements immediately online through your account. You can also sign up to receive Electronic Medicare Summary Notices monthly instead of waiting for the quarterly summary notices sent by mail. This can help you to catch any suspicious activity on your statements sooner. It also decreases the amount of paper documents with your Medicare information and lessens the chance of your information being compromised by mail theft.
Contact Wandacare for Personalized Medicare Advocacy and Advice
If you’ve lost your Medicare card or think it could be stolen, making you vulnerable to Medicare fraud, the Wandacare Team is here for you. With over a decade of experience, we are your personal Medicare advisors providing advocacy and assistance, so you have continued confidence in your Medicare coverage.
