New Medicare Cards (and number) apparently not a scam. [View all]

Last edited Fri May 29, 2026, 07:40 PM - Edit history (2)

My spouse received a new card a couple of weeks ago with a new number. I got one today. Both are set to be effective June 17.

Apparently they sent out a first batch of replacements (for what was supposed to be a forever number) with a new number effective April 14. This is a second batch, effective June 17. (I checked, and the Medicare site already has our new numbers)

What a royal pain. I have to remember to carry and use my old (identical, but for the number) card until June 17, and then remember to give every provider I see after that my new number . . . at least one of whom I won't see until January. And, to make matters worse, I'm out of the country on the switchover day.

Just thought I'd let y'all know - since my first thought when my spouse gave me her card (without the accompanying letter) my first thought was that it was one of the scams going around.

ETA: Good lord, folks. I know how to sort scam from reality. I was not asking you to speculate on it - I'm sharing the information because it LOOKS like a scam, but is NOT a scam. If you receive a new card and don't use your new cards, your claims may be denied. If you get a card with a new number, feel free to log in to your Medicare account and make sure the new number is the one reflected in your account. And, for good measure, pull up any prior EOB and confirm that your number on that old EOB matches your old card.

News clip on the issue effective April 14:

From the PA Department of Aging regarding the first batch of cards effective April 14:



https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaAging/posts/about-13-million-medicare-beneficiaries-will-receive-new-id-numbers-mbis-with-an/1264825525825138/

From the Baltimore Department on Aging regarding the cards effective April 14


https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreCountyAging/photos/approximately-13-million-medicare-beneficiaries-are-being-reissued-new-medicare-/1269905358584501/

There is virtually no information regarding the second issue, but I did find one article - AND - the Medicare site already reflects the new Medicare number in both accounts. It would be pretty hard for a scammer to change the numbers in our Medicare accounts.



https://www.cannoncourier.com/article/22435/medicare-customers-receiving-new-cards-due-to-breach

Here's a copy of the letter:


It's a crappy way to go about it - there should be an official announcement from Medicare, and a lot more public information available - which is why I posted here. Resolving claims that were billed to the wrong number is a royal pain. I haven't had to do that - but I have had to get stuff mistakenly billed to my old insurance company rebilled to Medicare. Not fun. I'm trying to save you some hassles.