New Medicare Number?

[marko]

Just got a new Medicare card and number. Any idea why? Not worried about it but getting a new number is news to me.

 

[Kabowest]

My mother received a new Medicare card last week with a letter stating that they suspected that her old number was compromised.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

There have been been recent reports of this happening a lot lately. It seems Medicare is trying to stamp out fraud by issuing new cards/numbers. No letter with it explaining why?

 

[marko]

There have been been recent reports of this happening a lot lately. It seems Medicare is trying to stamp out fraud by issuing new cards/numbers. No letter with it explaining why?

Letter just says to stop using the old one on a certain date. I need to re-read the letter tho

 

[braumeister]

The 1.3 Million List: Why Medicare Is Replacing ID Numbers For 1.3 Million Enrollees​

The biggest reason behind this change is fraud prevention. Officials confirmed that new Medicare ID numbers (called Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers or MBIs) are being reissued as part of an effort to reduce identity theft and fraudulent billing.

The ID number change is automatic, so you won’t need to take any action. Medicare will simply mail you a new card. There’s no fee, no application, and no activation required.

In fact, being asked to “apply” or “confirm” your new number is a major scam warning sign. If you didn’t receive official mail, you likely aren’t part of the update.

 

[harllee]

I got a new Medicare card in April. Here at my CCRC about a third of the residents have received a new card so far. Remember to give your new number to all your doctors, put it on your electronic chart etc.

 

[isisdave]

Letter just says to stop using the old one on a certain date. I need to re-read the letter tho

Yes, wife has had two of those in the last three years. Oddly, the letter or email comes first, specifying a date about a month later to start using the old one, and the card came a day or three later. You'd think if there were fraud, they'd want to switch right away.

 

[imnontrad]

There was a data breach and all accounts that were compromised got new Medicare cards/numbers.