Question from Caring.com Community Member, Bob Voiles
How can I get a replacement Medicare ID card? The number is worn on mine and causes some misfilings for insurance. The doctor's office makes a copy for their files and reads the number from their copy and make their billings to the Medicare office from that. So how can I get a replacement card?
Expert Answer by Joseph L. Matthews
Joseph L. Matthews is a Caring.com senior editor, an attorney, and the author of Long-Term Care: How to Plan & Pay for It and Social Security, Medicare, & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits.
It's actually Social Security that issues the cards, so you have to contact them. There are two ways to do it. To get a replacement card online, go to the special Medicare replacement card page on the Social Security web site. Or, you can call the Social SecurityAdministration at 800-772-1213 and ask for a replacement card. Once you make a request, it takes about 30 days for the replacement card to arrive in the mail.
Whether you request a replacement card online or by phone, you'll need the following information handy.
- Your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- Your place of birth
- Your mother's maiden name
- Your phone number
- If you make the request online, the last payment amount Medicare made on your behalf
If you need proof right away that you have Medicare, you can contact your local Social Security office which you can find by using this page on the Social Security web site, or call the toll-free Social Security number 800-772-1213. The Social Security office can give you proof that you can use until you get your replacement Medicare card.
