Question: My Medicare card still has my Social Security number on it. I know it's a bad idea to keep anything that displays my Social Security number in my wallet. Wasn't the government supposed to stop putting Social Security numbers on Medicare cards?
Answer: ID thieves can do a lot of damage if they get your Social Security number, which is why we recommend that you don't carry your Social Security card or number in your wallet. But Medicare beneficiaries are in a tough spot because SSN-based health claim numbers still appear on their Medicare cards. President Obama signed a law in April 2015 requiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to remove SSNs from Medicare cards, but the change is being implemented gradually: CMS will start sending the new cards in April 2018, but it will take until April 2019 before SSNs are removed from all cards.
Under the new system, a randomly generated 11-character Medicare Beneficiary Identifier will replace the SSN-based health claim number on your new Medicare card. You'll get information in 2018 letting you know about the new Medicare card, with an explanation of how to use the new card and what to do with your old one. You can start using your new Medicare card with the new number as soon as you receive it, and there should be a transition period in 2018 and 2019 when you can use either the old card or the new card. Keep an eye on this information page from Medicare for updates.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Changing the health claim numbers for all Medicare beneficiaries is a big undertaking, and Medicare isn't issuing any new cards without an SSN yet. But there are ways you can protect yourself until the new cards are issued. Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy for the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, recommends that you carry your Medicare card only when you visit a health care provider for the first time, so the provider can make a copy for its file. Otherwise, he recommends making a copy of your card with the last four digits of your Social Security number blacked out and keeping that in your wallet in case of an emergency.
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Climbs 288 Points After Amazon, Intel EarningsPost-earnings strength from Amazon and Intel helped cushion the blow of a disappointing October jobs report.
-
Nvidia Stock Is Joining the Dow. Is It Time to Buy?Nvidia will replace Intel in the Dow Jones Industrial Average this Friday. What does it mean for the stock?
-
Medicaid Managed Care Groups Under Congressional InvestigationLawmakers question Medicaid MCOs over their high rates of prior authorization denials.
-
Considering a Medicare Advantage Plan? Be Wary of PromisesThese private insurance alternatives to Medicare are growing in popularity at the same time they’re under scrutiny for their sales tactics and coverage.
-
Medicare Costs to Go Down in 2023Retirement Lower-than-expected spending on an expensive drug and other things means beneficiaries will pay less next year.
-
Create a Special Needs Plan That Goes the Distanceestate planning Getting the services needed for a person with a disability can take some careful planning, considering some important benefits programs limit the assets owned to just $2,000.
-
Age Magnificently with the Help of a Geriatric Care Managerretirement Geriatric care managers help families map the coming changes and explore the options before they are even needed.
-
Shingles Vaccines Work. But Medicare Won’t Always Cover Them.Medicare Traditional Medicare Part B does not cover some recommended vaccines, including shingles shots; prescription drug plans include commercially available vaccinations, but are likely to require some payments from beneficiaries.
-
Estate Planning: A Special Trust for a Special NeedCaregiving Special needs trusts can help fund quality-of-life improvements for the beneficiary, such as a phone, a trip or a private room in a group care facility.
-
Long-Term Care Insurance: Higher Premiums for Shrinking BenefitsLong-Term Care Insurance There's a 70% chance you'll need some type of long-term care. Getting the right insurance is more complex these days. Here's some guidance.
