Ethan Clarke
There have been reports of scam calls about Medicare cards being replaced with plastic cards or cards with chips in them. Medicare is not replacing paper cards with plastic cards, and any unexpected calls about Medicare cards are scams. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will mail out new Medicare cards to beneficiaries, and there is no charge for the new card. If you receive a call about your Medicare card, hang up and call the toll-free Medicare number on the back of your card.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Medicare cards | Scam |
| How it works | Scammers call individuals claiming to be from Medicare and ask for personal details to send a new plastic card |
| What to do | Hang up and call the toll-free Medicare number on the back of your card |
| Medicare contact | Medicare will first contact through mail |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic Medicare cards are a scam
These scam calls have been around for a while, but now the scammers are using a different approach. They are calling people, asking for their Medicare number, and claiming they can help order a new plastic card. The only problem is that Medicare cards are paper, and the agency has no plans to offer plastic cards. This scam is designed to get your Medicare number and use it to commit fraud. Criminals could use it to get drugs or file claims for medical equipment and services using your number.
If you feel you have received one of these calls and gave out your Medicare ID number, call CMS at 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227). If you receive a call and have the slightest doubt about it, hang up and call the toll-free Medicare number on the back of your card.
Remember, Medicare will never ask for personal or private information before providing a new Medicare number and card. There is no charge for a new card.
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How to identify a scam call
Medicare is not sending out plastic cards. If you receive a call about a plastic Medicare card, it is a scam. Here are some tips on how to identify and handle a scam call:
Verify the caller's identity
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, hang up and call them back at the official number listed on their website or on the back of your Medicare card. This way, you can verify if the caller is indeed a Medicare representative.
Be cautious of unsolicited calls
Medicare will only call you if you have contacted them first to report an issue or file a grievance. If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, it is likely a scam.
Do not provide personal information
Never give out your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, bank information, or any other personal details over the phone unless you have initiated the call and are sure of the recipient's identity. Scammers may use various tactics to try and steal your personal information, such as claiming that your card has been compromised or offering a plastic card for a fee.
Verify offers directly
If you receive an offer for free or discounted medical equipment or services in exchange for your Medicare number, treat it with extreme caution. Verify such offers directly with a trusted medical professional or Medicare representative before proceeding.
Report suspected fraud
If you suspect that you have received a scam call or have given out your Medicare ID number, report it to CMS at 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227). You can also report suspicious activity and seek guidance on safeguarding yourself from Medicare fraud by calling this number.
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What to do if you receive a scam call
Medicare is not replacing paper cards with plastic cards or cards with chips. Criminals are making scam calls about plastic Medicare cards to get your Medicare number and commit fraud. They might claim to know your name, address, and phone number and ask you to verify your personal information. Remember that Medicare will first contact you through the mail if they need to reach you. If you get a call claiming to be from Medicare and you have the slightest doubt, hang up and call the toll-free Medicare number on the back of your card.
- Hang up: If you receive an unexpected call about your Medicare card, hang up immediately. Do not engage with the caller.
- Do not provide personal information: Never give out your Medicare ID number, personal information, or financial details to an unexpected caller. Medicare will never call you unsolicited to discuss your benefits or offer new plans or discounts.
- Verify through official channels: If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, contact Medicare directly using the toll-free number on the back of your Medicare card or by logging into your secure account at Medicare.gov.
- Report the scam: If you believe you have received a scam call, report it to the fraud hotline at (800) 633-4227 or use the online form on the Medicare website. You can also report suspected fraud by clicking the "Report Fraud" button on the Medicare website.
- Protect your information: If you think your Medicare ID number or personal information has been compromised, contact CMS to issue a new number and send you a new card. You can also enable an answering machine to screen calls and only answer if you recognize the caller.
- Be cautious of unsolicited contacts: Medicare will only contact you if you have requested them to. Be wary of anyone claiming to be from Medicare who contacts you out of the blue, especially if they ask for personal information or payments.
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How to get a new Medicare card
Medicare is not sending out plastic cards. In fact, plastic Medicare cards are a common scam. If you receive a phone call about your new plastic Medicare card, hang up and do not provide any personal information.
If you need to obtain a new Medicare card because your current one was lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can request a replacement card from Social Security in three ways: online, by phone, or in person.
To request a new card online, go to MyMedicare.gov and create an account or log in to your existing profile. From there, you can print an official copy of your Medicare card or request a replacement card to be sent to you by mail. You can also request a replacement card online using your personal My Social Security account. Log in, select the "Replace your Medicare card" link under the Medicare Enrollment Detail section, and then select "Mail my replacement Medicare Card." Your new card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days.
To request a new card by phone, call the Medicare office at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227; TTY: 877-486-2048) or Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
To request a new card in person, visit your local Social Security office.
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What to do if your Medicare ID is compromised
Medicare fraud can be orchestrated via mail, email, or phone by fraudsters both inside and outside the medical field. Scammers typically pretend to be from Medicare or another medical organisation to trick you into providing your Medicare ID, Social Security number, or financial information. They may use urgent language and pressure tactics to rush you into making a mistake. Complying with their requests could leave you out of pocket or at risk of serious identity theft.
If you receive a phone call about your Medicare coverage, or someone saying they are calling on behalf of Medicare, hang up. If you speak to them, do not give them any information about yourself or your Medicare ID number. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will only call you if you have reported a problem, filed a grievance, or something similar. CMS staff will not call an individual unsolicited. If you feel you have received one of these calls and gave out your Medicare ID number, call CMS at 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227).
If your ID number is compromised, CMS can issue you a new number and send you a new card. Once your providers have the new information, they can begin billing Medicare-covered services with the new ID information.
To protect yourself from becoming a victim of Medicare fraud:
- Check the receipts and statements you get from providers for mistakes, and call your provider’s office if you think a charge is incorrect.
- Carefully review your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to ensure it does not contain prescription drugs you did not receive or do not use.
- Sign up for a family identity theft monitoring plan.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, they are. If you receive a call about a plastic Medicare card, hang up and report the incident to CMS at 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227).
If you receive a call about your Medicare card that you did not initiate, it is likely a scam. Hang up and call the toll-free Medicare number on the back of your card to report the incident.
Medicare will only call you if you have previously called CMS to report an issue or file a complaint. They will first contact you through mail if they need to reach you.
If you believe your Medicare ID number has been compromised, contact CMS immediately. They can issue you a new number and send you a new card.
Yes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin mailing out new Medicare cards to current beneficiaries. However, these cards will be paper, not plastic, and there is no charge for them.
