This post was originally quite long, I reviewed and shortened it.
Scammers never give up trying to defraud. New U.S. Medicare cards are being sent and the game is on once again. Here's what can happen: scammers call and ask for personal information, money or threaten to cancel health benefits if information isn't provided.
Never give current Medicare card ID to a caller. It has a Social Security Number (SSN). Ignore such calls and/or hang up — It’s a scam. (You can report calls to Medicare 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj2IJ22zcLXGG5FafkUPHVJCWB_jnwGHR0s8OIvahexwjE59tWL1GYwgItAyzUQkqp2xW4Yk0IYsBivTtQst2rKuD8SLk2YXKfwptrVprQpeS9xfXQXIvHZIr-4WSy_wH9U2lQaeKhxIf/s200/new+medicare+card+shot.png) |
Medicare.gov graphic |
Like the IRS, Medicare will never call and ask for information or money. The new card is FREE and being mailed; no action is needed. It will have a unique Medicare identifier, not a SSN to protect your identity. It uses numbers 0 thru 9 and letters, excluding S, L, O, I, B, and Z which are never used (excluded for ease of reading it seems).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN5qwrlZif2Ct8pgYSyncGpz3bAs6bulZr9bGTLIS_ZUm5mRk35ck8kk2l37FLfGrxvTUXZdyCY_gDVy_tb_kBJWeVgih-Ik26AcbBY8JlkC_gkrZ4n9woXZpU7TXKuRZjpoA7j3GL7fc/s320/card+mailing+status+0518.png) |
Medicare.gov graphic |
Medicare coverage and benefits will remain the same. New cards will start arriving state by state starting April 2018. Estimates are it'll take a year to mail cards nationwide, ending by April 2019.
Once a new one is received, completely shred or cut up the old card which has a SSN. Don't toss in recycling or garbage. "Dumpster divers" search there for personal information.
Hope this info is helpful to some folks.