How Do You Replace a Lost Medicare Card?
You can replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Medicare card by logging into or creating your secure Medicare.gov account and choosing the option to print or order an official copy. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE at 1-800-633-4227 to request a replacement by mail. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
How can you replace a lost Medicare card?
The fastest option is usually to use your secure Medicare account. Medicare says you can log into or create an account to print an official copy of your Medicare card or order a replacement card.
- Go to Medicare.gov and log into your Medicare account.
- If you do not have an account, create one using the account setup process.
- Choose the option to print or order your official Medicare card.
If you prefer not to use the online account, call 1-800-MEDICARE at 1-800-633-4227. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Can you use a printed Medicare card?
Yes. Medicare states that you can print an official copy of your Medicare card from your secure Medicare account. This can help if you need your Medicare information before a mailed replacement arrives.
Your Medicare card includes your unique Medicare Number, whether you have Part A, Part B, or both, and the date your coverage begins. Keep the printed copy secure, just as you would the plastic or paper card you receive by mail.
What if you lost a Medicare Advantage or drug plan card?
A Medicare Advantage Plan, also called Part C, or a Medicare drug plan may issue its own plan membership card. That card is different from your red, white, and blue Medicare card.
If you lost a Medicare Advantage, Medicare drug plan, or other plan membership card, contact your plan directly to ask for a replacement. If you do not know your plan’s phone number, Medicare says you can call 1-800-MEDICARE to get your plan’s contact information.
If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you generally use your plan card when getting covered services. Keep your Medicare card in a safe place in case you switch plans or return to Original Medicare later.
What should you do if a new Medicare card arrives?
You may receive a replacement Medicare card letter if you or someone on your behalf requested a new card, or if your Medicare coverage, Medicare Number, or name changed.
When you receive a new Medicare card, use the new card right away. Medicare says to securely destroy your old Medicare card. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, keep using your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card for plan services unless your plan tells you otherwise.
Can a representative payee request a replacement card?
In some cases, a representative payee can request a replacement Medicare card for a beneficiary. Social Security says this can be done online through the representative payee’s personal my Social Security account by using Representative Payee Services.
Social Security also says the mailing address should be checked and updated before ordering the replacement card. A representative payee can request only one replacement card per beneficiary in a 30-day period.
What if your Medicare card was stolen or misused?
If your Medicare card was stolen, or if you think someone is using your Medicare Number, call 1-800-MEDICARE. Medicare advises people to protect their Medicare Number and share it only with health care providers, insurers, health plans, trusted people who work with Medicare, or others who legitimately need it.
Do not share your Medicare Number with someone who contacts you unexpectedly by phone, email, text, social media, or in person unless you contacted them first and gave permission to be contacted.
From First Meeting to Medicare Enrollment
We begin by helping you understand how Medicare works and how the different pieces fit together. We walk through Original Medicare, Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement insurance, and Part D prescription drug coverage, including how formularies, drug tiers, and plan rules can affect your costs.
We also explain dental, vision, and hearing coverage, along with other products that may help fill gaps in your healthcare plan. Depending on your needs, that may include short-term in-home healthcare coverage, hospital indemnity insurance, or coverage designed to provide additional financial support following a cancer diagnosis, heart attack, or stroke.
Once you understand the landscape, we move into the planning stage. That is when we review your doctors, hospitals, prescription drugs, current coverage, and other personal details so we can begin evaluating the Medicare plan options that fit your situation.
Official Sources
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Your Medicare Card | Medicare
Verifies how to print or order an official Medicare card, what the card contains, Medicare Advantage card use, and identity protection guidance. -
Log in to (or create) your Medicare account
Verifies the official Medicare.gov account login page used to access Medicare account services. -
How do I get a replacement Medicare card? | Frequently Asked Questions | SSA
Verifies that lost, stolen, or destroyed Medicare cards can be replaced online through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. -
Getting care in a disaster or emergency | Medicare
Verifies that people should contact their Medicare drug or Medicare Advantage Plan to replace a lost or damaged plan card, and can call Medicare for plan contact information. -
Replacement Medicare card letter | Medicare
Verifies why a replacement Medicare card letter may arrive and what to do with the old card and any Medicare Advantage Plan ID card. -
Can I get a new Medicare card for a beneficiary? | Frequently Asked Questions | SSA
Verifies replacement card rules for representative payees, including use of Representative Payee Services and the one-card-per-beneficiary 30-day limit.
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