FIGHTING FRAUD

New Medicare cards drop Social Security numbers

By Amanda Cuda

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services via Associated Press

This image provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shows what the new Medicare card, right, will look like, compared to the current one at left. The cards are getting a makeover to fight identity theft.

Consumer affairs advocates hope that eliminating social security numbers on the next round of Medicare cards will protect about 57 million seniors enrolled in the plan from identity theft.

Existing Medicare cards contain recipients’ social security number a central element of identity theft. However, as of March, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will begin issuing new Medicare cards for new and existing recipients. The social security number will be replaced with a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, consisting of 11 uppercase letters and numerals.

“Medicare beneficiaries who carry their cards with them are at a higher risk of identity theft than the rest of the population, so this is a major game changer,” said Connecticut Better Business spokesman Howard Schwartz in a news release. “They understand the security risk and have been very clear about their desire to have their Social Security Numbers removed from their cards. The cards with the new MBI do not pose the risk of identity theft if they fall into the hands of the wrong person by theft or loss. The removal of the SSN is a helpful step in preventing the exposure of that important number.

Upon receiving the new cards, beneficiaries are instructed to destroy their old ones.

Better Business Bureau warns that scammers still may try to take advantage of the imminent changeover by posing as Medicare representatives.

To avoid these scams, the Federal Trade Commission offers the following tips:

Is someone calling, claiming to be from Medicare, and asking for your Social Security number or bank information? Hang up. That’s a scam. First, Medicare won’t call you. Second, Medicare will never ask for your Social Security number or bank information.

Is someone asking you to pay for your new card? That’s a scam. Your new Medicare card is free.

Is someone threatening to cancel your benefits if you don’t give up information or money? Also a scam. New Medicare cards will be mailed out to you automatically. There won't be any changes to your benefits.