What to do if You Lose Your Medicare Card: A Step-by-Step Guide

Losing your Medicare card can feel stressful, but replacing it is a simple, free process. Since 2018, Medicare cards no longer display your Social Security Number, so a lost card poses less identity theft risk than it once did. Still, you should request a replacement promptly and take a few precautions if you suspect the card was stolen.

What Is Your Medicare Card?

Your Medicare card is your official proof of Medicare enrollment. It is a red, white, and blue card issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Every person enrolled in Medicare receives their own individual card, even if they are on a spouse's work record.

Your card displays three pieces of information:

• Your full name as it appears in Social Security records

• Your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) -- a unique 11-character alphanumeric number that replaced Social Security Numbers on Medicare cards starting in 2018

• Your coverage start dates for Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance)

You will need to show this card whenever you receive Medicare-covered services. Providers use your MBI to verify your coverage and submit claims. Learn more about how your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier works.

Why It Is Important to Keep Your Medicare Card Accessible

Your Medicare card is required at virtually every healthcare encounter. Doctors, hospitals, labs, and pharmacies all need your MBI to verify your coverage and bill Medicare correctly. If you cannot produce your card or provide your MBI, a provider may delay your care, ask you to pay out of pocket upfront, or be unable to submit a claim on your behalf.

That said, you should not carry your Medicare card everywhere you go. Because the MBI is linked to your Medicare account, losing it in the wrong hands could expose you to Medicare fraud, where someone uses your information to bill Medicare for services you never received.

Where Should You Keep Your Medicare Card?

Medicare recommends keeping your card in a safe place at home and only bringing it to medical appointments. A few practical options:

• Store the original card in a secure location at home, such as a fireproof box or a dedicated folder with other important documents.

• Carry a photocopy of your card to routine appointments rather than the original, so the original stays safe.

• Save a photo of your card on your smartphone or in a secure password-protected app for easy access when needed.

• Write your MBI number in a secure place (not your wallet) so you can provide it to providers even without the physical card.

How to Order a New Medicare Card

You can request a replacement Medicare card through three channels. All three methods are free, and you will receive the same official card regardless of which method you choose.

What Information Is Needed to Order a New Card?

Whether you order online, by phone, or in person, you will need to verify your identity. Have the following ready:

1. Your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security records

2. Your date of birth

3. Your Social Security Number (used to verify your identity, not printed on the new card)

4. Your current mailing address on file with Social Security

If your address has changed recently, you may need to update it with Social Security before requesting the replacement card to ensure it is mailed to the correct location. You can update your address at the same time you request the replacement. If you have recently moved, you may also want to review what to do with Medicare when you move.

How Long Does It Take to Receive a New Medicare Card?

Once your request is submitted, a replacement Medicare card typically arrives by mail within 30 days. The card is mailed to the address on file with Social Security, so make sure that address is current before you submit your request.

While you wait for your physical card, you can log in to Medicare.gov to view your MBI and print a temporary copy to use at appointments. Your coverage is not interrupted during this time -- your Medicare benefits remain fully active.

What if Your Medicare Card Was Stolen?

If your Medicare card was stolen rather than simply lost, you should take additional steps beyond requesting a replacement. Medicare fraud is a serious problem, and your MBI can be misused to bill Medicare for services you never received.

1. Request a replacement card immediately using one of the methods above.

2. Report the theft to Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Medicare can flag your account for suspicious activity.

3. Review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or check your claims history at Medicare.gov for any services you do not recognize. Claims are typically available within 24 hours of processing.

4. Report suspected fraud to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or online at oig.hhs.gov.

5. Consider a credit freeze or fraud alert with the major credit bureaus if you believe other personal information was also compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions