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LUTCHER — Starting in 2018, new Medicare cards were mailed to beneficiaries in an effort to protect patient information. Patients should keep their newest cards with them and bring this card to all healthcare appointments and visits.

All beneficiaries should now have the new Medicare card. These cards do not include a social security number. To decrease the likelihood of identity theft, the new Medicare cards instead include a unique Medicare number. Beneficiary benefits did not change due to the new card format—which is paper and solid blue at the top. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is your main card; however, you may also be asked to show your new Medicare card, so you should always carry this too. For safety reasons, Medicare urges patients to destroy old cards. If you never received your new card or have questions, contact Medicare at 1-800- Medicare (1-800-633-4227).

Using your new Medicare card not only protects your social security number, but also speeds up the check-in process during your