HealthlineHow to Protect and Replace Your Medicare Card

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Medicare cards contain essential personal information and require proper protection to prevent fraud and maintain their integrity. This article outlines best practices for safeguarding Medicare cards, methods to replace lost or damaged cards, and strategies to avoid scams targeting Medicare beneficiaries.

Key Points:

• Use plastic ID sleeves to protect Medicare cards from wear and tear
• Avoid laminating Medicare cards as it may compromise embedded security features
• Treat Medicare cards like credit cards and safeguard personal information
• Replace lost, stolen, or damaged cards online, by phone, or in person at Social Security offices
• Be cautious of unsolicited requests for Medicare information to prevent scams
• Medicare will never initiate contact to request personal information
• Contact 1-800-MEDICARE for suspicious calls threatening to cancel health benefits

According to the Federal Trade Commission, 12,261 fraud and other reports were filed in Washington, DC in 2022. Of those reports, 14% involved imposter and benefits fraud that included Medicare and Social Security scams. The total fraud losses exceeded $18 million. Many more losses went unreported.

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