There are several reasons why you might find yourself in need of a replacement Original Medicare card. If your card has been lost, stolen, damaged, or you’ve recently had a legal name change through the Social Security Administration (SSA) office, you will need a replacement card to continue receiving your Medicare benefits without delays and denials.
If you’ve had a name change through the SSA, the SSA will request a new card on your behalf by coordinating with Medicare. If you need a replacement Medicare card for any other reason, there are several ways to request and receive a new one.
Print a New Medicare Card
The quickest way to get a replacement card is to print an official copy through your Medicare.gov account. 1 Simply log in and select the “Get my Medicare card” button, then verify your password to see the option to “Print Medicare Card.” Print in color if you are partial to the red, white, and blue, but black and white works just as well.
Request a New Medicare Card Online
You can request to have an official copy of your card mailed to you through your Medicare.gov account. After verifying your password, select the “Order Medicare Card” button.
You can also order a card to be mailed to you through your My Social Security account. Once logged in to your account, scroll down to the Medicare Enrollment Details section and select “Replace your Medicare Card” and confirm on the next step.
If you are receiving Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you can submit an online service request through the RRB website to have a replacement card mailed to you.
You can typically expect to receive your new card in about 30 days if you opt to have it sent by mail.
Request a New Medicare Card by Phone
If you prefer to request a replacement card over the phone, you have several options:
Before you call, be prepared to provide your:
1. Social Security Number (SSN) or your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number
2. At least one of the following: beneficiary’s full name, address, date of birth, Part A effective date, or Part B effective date
Request a New Medicare Card In-person
If you need a replacement card right away for an upcoming appointment or prescription and do not have access to a printer, you can visit your local Social Security office to request a replacement card in person (no appointment necessary). This is the second quickest method to receive your replacement Medicare card, but it does require the most time and effort. Use the Social Security office locator to find the office for your zip code.
Once you have your replacement card, it’s important to take precautions to keep it secure and protect your personal information. Here are some tips to help you safeguard your Medicare card:
1. Safe Storage and Handling of Your Card
2. Preventing Identity Theft and Fraud
If you have questions about coverage, enrollment, switching plans, or other topics related to Medicare, we have compiled answers to many of these common Medicare questions. If you’d like information about plans available in your area, view our Medicare Solutions. Mutual of Omaha is always here to help.
2 WGAL.com Webpage: Fraudsters target people on Medicare with plastic card scam. (8/29/2023), from https://www.wgal.com/article/medicare-plastic-card-scam/44942317