CMS will being mailing new Medicare cards to beneficiaries in April 2018. The 2015 Act requires all federal and private health information systems to be ready to process claims with the new cards by 2018. // } The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Read the FCC Complaint Center FAQ to learn more about the FCC's informal complaint process, including how to file a complaint, and what happens after a complaint is filed. If you need your new number before the replacement card arrives, you can log on to myMedicare.gov and print out an official copy of your new card. } } In another version of the scam, the con artist tells you that your current Medicare card is no longer valid, and you must pay a fee to receive a temporary card to use until your permanent card arrives. Starting in April, Medicare began issuing the new cards. (If you dont have a MyMedicare.gov account yet, visit MyMedicare.gov to create one.) You can also visit Medicare.gov for tips to prevent Medicare fraud. The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans dropped while access to Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials say this largest-ever dollar increase was necessary because of three factors: The Part B premium increase will be somewhat offset by the 5.9 percent increase in Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Medicare will never call you uninvited to request personal or private information in order for you to get your new Medicare number and card. In April, Medicare began sending its members new cards with unique eleven-digit account numbers, ending the previous reliance on SSA numbers. If you need help, reach out to Senior Life Matters, The Office For the Aging, or the insurance broker you have used in the past. 0000008548 00000 n If you cant or prefer not to use the online service: Call us at 1-800-772-1213 ( TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; or Contact your local Social Security office. Take your time to read all information and verify details. Keep in mind Medicare Coverage Outside the United States ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT How to protect yourself from The calls may be live or initiated through robocall technology. Dont trust the name displayed on your phones CallerID screen. If your card is ever lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement card by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227). Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. })(jQuery); https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/using-medicare/your-medicare-card, www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/03/new-medicare-cards-coming-soon, https://www.cms.gov/medicare/new-medicare-card/nmc-home. Answer: This call has been coming to so many individuals in our area. document.write('Trung tm Gip Ngi tiu dng'); I+ Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly The company handles the agency data as part of processing Medicare eligibility and entitlement records, as well as premium payments. 0000007542 00000 n WebYou will receive a new Medicare ID number when you apply for a replacement card. They cant threaten to take away your benefits if you dont sign up for a plan or offer you gifts if you agree to sign up. else if (languages === "Korean") { Do not listen to anyone who tells you there is a charge for your new card. You will be eligible for the extra time to sign up for or leave the program if these three conditions apply: This extension applies to people who tried to sign up during their initial enrollment period (the three months before their 65th birthday, their birthday month and the three months after their birthday month), the general enrollment period (between Jan. 1 and March 31) or any special enrollment period they may have qualified for. There will be delays and frustrations on both ends. If they ask you to verify your name, ask who is calling. Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know, The Google Voice scam: How this verification code scam works and how to avoid it, Show/hide Shopping and Donating menu items, Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items, Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items, Money-Making Opportunities and Investments, Show/hide Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts menu items, Show/hide Identity Theft and Online Security menu items. I have talked with many individuals who have been on Medicare for years and also those who are new to Medicare, and this call is happening to both groups. The hope is the new Medicare cards will eliminate thieves using Medicare cards for identity theft. What to do about unwanted calls, emails, and text messages that can be annoying, might be illegal, and are probably scams. Everyone who enrolls in Medicare receives a red, white, and blue Medicare card. Social Security AdministrationOur Once your new card has mailed, you can sign in anytime to see your new Medicare number or print a copy of your card. 0000008475 00000 n Growing awareness of the dramatic increase in identity theft and fraud scams prompted Congress to legislate this change. These Medicare cards will arrive about 15 to 30 days after enrolling. If you are requesting a replacement, this card will also arrive within a month after the request. If you need your new Medicare card more quickly, you can request a temporary letter as proof of membership, which you should receive in about 10 days. A decision earlier this year by Medicare to stop using its beneficiaries' Social Security numbers as account numbers has not gone unnoticed by scammers. Why would they need to change identifiers for dead people? But, those who buy into Medicare could pay a full Part A premium of $506 each month. Inspect your explanation of benefits forms carefully when they come in the mail. As expected, scammers have been trying to cash in on this change. hb``Pf``ma P30pVbIa=L>BL 3 ways to avoid being overcharged for Medigap, Get your premiums reduced after you retire, Rising health care prices, some of which were attributed to, Because of the pandemic, Congress acted to significantly lower the planned, CMS decided it needed to set aside money in its reserves in the event that Medicare covers. The MBI will consist of a randomly generated combination of numbers and uppercase letters. That transition period ends in December 2019. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. 2023 Medicare Interactive. From that point on, you should not need to give medical providers your SSN. These scammers typically reach out by phone and have tried a few different tactics. The information on this website is not legal advice. Medicare will send you an email when cards start mailing in your state, and also email you about other important Medicare topics. hnJ_e`WGU$ (M(X*vn}36I,wwvgv={y{qZDdC^m 8\C?g>=(&DHC i>&|ArIqYEkIx>F4{LIEC)qvEz?BMu8Ny{{UC9> AA5 YM@6F\CnY`7}'J-$Iv(O6M.PF5:v('i6AU#g=M(-:x(ETXDn^:/b}'r|@[ hI3-A>6!y h9%D0!X&f@ WebYour Medicare card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days at the address on file with Social Security. I can confidently say NO, the caller is not from Medicare and you are NOT getting a new plastic (or metal) Medicare card. ]]>, ,