New Medicare cards are being mailed to beneficiaries in Washington

Medicare is mailing new cards to beneficiaries in Washington state in June of this year (2018). The cards have a new look and, they have unique numbers to replace the Social Security numbers previously used on the cards. Medicare created the new cards to reduce identity theft and fraud. Cards are free, you don’t need to do anything to get your new card, and there will be no interruption of your coverage during the transition.

Scammers are capitalizing on this change so be aware:

• If someone tells you it costs money to get your new card, it doesn’t. It’s a scam.
• If someone contacts you asking for your bank account information and claiming to be from a government agency needing to deposit money into your Medicare account, don’t do it! It’s a scam.
• If someone says they need your old card number to prevent interruption of your Medicare insurance, don’t give it to them (it’s your social security number) – it’s a scam.

Just watch your mail and when your new card arrives destroy your old card and start using your new one.