Your Medicare Card: What's On It, When You Get It, and How to Use It
A plain-English guide to your red, white, and blue Medicare card: what the number means, when it arrives, how it differs from your plan card, and how to replace a lost card for free.
Your Medicare card is the red, white, and blue card that proves you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It shows your name, a unique Medicare number, and the dates your coverage started. It is not your Social Security card, and it is not the same as a Medicare Advantage or drug plan card. Here is what is on it, when it shows up in your mailbox, and what to do if you lose it.
What is on your Medicare card
Your card is intentionally simple. It lists:
- Your name, as it appears in Social Security's records.
- Your Medicare number (the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, or MBI).
- What you have: "HOSPITAL (PART A)" and "MEDICAL (PART B)."
- The date each part became effective.
The card is paper, not plastic, so it can be signed and easily replaced. There is no photo and no chip.
What the number on your card means
The Medicare number, or MBI, is an 11-character mix of letters and numbers that is randomly assigned to you. It is unique to you and is used to bill Medicare for your care.
One important thing: your Medicare number is not your Social Security number. Until 2019, Medicare cards used an SSN-based number, but every card was reissued with a random MBI to cut down on identity theft. If you are still holding an old card with your SSN on it, it is out of date and should be shredded.
What your Medicare card looks like
It is a horizontal paper card with red and blue lettering on a white background, with the Medicare name across the top. That familiar red, white, and blue design is how providers recognize Original Medicare at a glance. Be cautious of anyone claiming to sell you a "official plastic" or "metal" Medicare card. There is no such thing, and that pitch is a common scam.
When you get your Medicare card
It depends on how you come into Medicare:
- If you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits when you approach 65, you are enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically. Your card is mailed to you about three months before your 65th birthday.
- If you are not yet collecting Social Security, Medicare is not automatic. You sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period, and your card arrives after you enroll, usually within a few weeks.
- If you qualify through disability, your card comes after you have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months.
New to all of this? Start with our guide for people new to Medicare and how to apply for Medicare.
Your Medicare card vs. your plan card
This is where people get confused. If you join a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone Part D drug plan, the private insurer sends you a separate card, and that is the card you show at the doctor or pharmacy. Here is how the cards compare:
| Card | Who issues it | What you use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare (red, white, blue) | Federal Medicare program | Proof of Part A and Part B. Show it to providers if you have Original Medicare. |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan card | Private insurance company | All your care under the plan. With Advantage, you use this card, not the red, white, and blue one. |
| Part D drug plan card | Private insurance company | Filling prescriptions at the pharmacy. |
| Medigap (Medicare Supplement) card | Private insurance company | Secondary coverage. Show it along with your red, white, and blue card. |
The takeaway: if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, carry the plan card and keep your red, white, and blue card somewhere safe at home. If you have Original Medicare (with or without a Medigap plan), the red, white, and blue card is the one you carry. Not sure which setup you have? See Original Medicare, Part A and Part B or compare coverage options.
Do you need to carry your Medicare card?
Carry the card you actually use for care (your plan card if you have Medicare Advantage, otherwise the red, white, and blue card). You do not need to carry the paper Medicare card everywhere if you are on an Advantage plan, and keeping it home reduces the chance of losing the one card that carries your Medicare number.
How to replace a lost or stolen Medicare card
Replacing your card is free, and you have a few options (for the full walkthrough, see how to replace a lost or stolen Medicare card):
- Online (fastest): log in to your secure account at Medicare.gov. You can view your Medicare number right away, print an official copy, or order a replacement to be mailed. Our step-by-step guide to creating a Medicare account walks through setup.
- By phone: call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Through Social Security: if you get your card through Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you can also request a replacement at SSA.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
A mailed replacement typically takes about 30 days. If your card was stolen, replace it and watch your Medicare statements for charges you do not recognize, which can be a sign of fraud.
Protect your Medicare number
Treat your Medicare number like a credit card number. A few rules keep you safe:
- Medicare will never call, text, or email you out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number, or to demand payment to send a new card. New cards are free and automatic.
- Only share your number with your doctors, pharmacists, and trusted Medicare providers.
- Ignore anyone selling a plastic or metal card, offering a "refund" that requires your number, or threatening to cancel your Medicare. Report it to 1-800-MEDICARE.
Common questions about your Medicare card
What is a Medicare card?
It is the official card, red, white, and blue, that shows you have Original Medicare. It lists your name, your Medicare number, whether you have Part A and Part B, and the dates each began.
What is the number on my Medicare card?
It is your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), an 11-character combination of letters and numbers assigned only to you. It is used to bill Medicare for your care.
Does my Medicare card have my Social Security number on it?
No. Cards issued since 2019 use a random MBI instead of your Social Security number to protect against identity theft. Older SSN-based cards should be shredded.
When will I get my Medicare card?
If you already collect Social Security, it arrives about three months before you turn 65. If you are not yet collecting benefits, it comes after you enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period.
Do I need to carry my Medicare card with me?
Carry the card you use for care. On a Medicare Advantage plan, that is your plan card, and you can keep the red, white, and blue card at home. On Original Medicare, carry the red, white, and blue card.
How do I replace a lost or stolen Medicare card?
Free of charge: print or order one from your account at Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact Social Security. A mailed card takes about 30 days.
Is my Medicare card the same as my insurance card?
If you have Original Medicare, yes, it is your proof of coverage. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your insurance card is the separate card the private plan sends you, and that is the one you use.
Confused about which card to use, or setting up Medicare for the first time? A licensed Medicare Advocate can walk you through your coverage and next steps, at no cost. Give us a call.