Was your Medicare card lost, stolen, or damaged? Here’s what to do to get a Medicare card replacement. You can either:
- Call the National Social Security hotline at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) (Monday through Friday 7 am to 7 pm).
- Apply for a new card online on your my Social Security account. Once you are logged in, select “Replacement Documents”, then “Mail my replacement Medicare card.”
- Visit your local Social Security office.
By creating a my Social Security account, you can also easily change your address if you need to, start or change direct deposit, get your benefit verification letter, check your benefit and payment information, and more.
When requesting a new Medicare card, the pieces of information you’ll need to provide are:
- Your name as it appears on your Social Security card
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplement plan, you will need to call your plan directly to get your card replaced. If you get Medicare benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, call their help line at 877-772-5772.
After requesting it from Social Security, you should get your new Medicare card in the mail within 30 days. If you need proof that you have Medicare before that, you can request a letter from Social Security that you’ll receive in about 10 days. If you need proof right away in order to see your doctor or get a prescription, visit your local Social Security office and they can help you. To find your office, go here.
Also, be sure to make a copy of your card and keep it for your records, and write down all numbers and put them in a safe place.
If your Medicare card was stolen, be on the lookout for possible fraud by checking your Medicare statement carefully. Call the Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General’s fraud hotline if you see anything suspect at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
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