Your Medicare Card

You’ll get your Medicare card in your welcome package, which will be mailed to you by Medicare. You’ll receive the welcome package in one of three scenarios.

If you don’t want to wait for your welcome packet to be mailed, you can get your Medicare card online. Log in to your Medicare account to access and print out your Medicare card.

However, the Medicare card you print out should be a temporary solution. The card that will be sent to you by Medicare is more durable and can withstand use and fading over time, unlike computer paper.

Yes — Medicare will automatically send you a Medicare card after you finish signing up for Medicare or Social Security benefits. On average, your Medicare card should take two weeks to arrive.

Note that if you automatically enroll in Medicare due to disability, you will receive your Medicare card two weeks after Social Security approves your benefits.

If you’re already receiving retirement benefits, you will receive your Medicare card three months before your coverage starts.

Medicare will not automatically send you a new card every year. You should get your first card automatically, then you are responsible for ordering a replacement card should your card get damaged or lost.

You can order a replacement Medicare card from the Social Security Administration or Medicare.

Call the Medicare customer service line at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) if you want a replacement card from Medicare. You also have the option to print out a temporary replacement card on your Medicare account.

If you want to order a replacement card from the Social Security Administration, you will need to log in to your Social Security account. Once you’re logged in, select the “Medicare Enrollment Detail” section, and then click “Replace Your Medicare Card.” Select “Mail My Replacement Medicare Card,” and your replacement card should arrive within 30 days.

You can also contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to request a replacement Medicare card over the phone.

A Medicare card is red, white and blue and says “Medicare Health Insurance” at the top. The card will have four sections of information.

Part D and Medigap plans both have different cards that come from your chosen provider. Your card for Original Medicare doesn’t include this type of information or coverage, so make sure you have all your cards on you to avoid coverage issues at your appointments.

While all Original Medicare cards will look the same, your Part D and Medigap cards will vary in appearance since you can get them from different insurers.

Your Medicare number is private, personalized information, so it’s important to avoid scams from fraudulent operators.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services suggest treating your Medicare number like your credit card — don’t share the information with anyone who contacts you by phone, email or in person unless you contacted them first and gave them permission to contact you.

You should only share your Medicare number with your health care providers, insurer or people who you trust that work directly with Medicare.

Another scam circulating is operators claiming that Medicare is switching from paper cards to a plastic chip card. This is not true. If someone contacts you trying to get your Medicare number to update to a plastic chip card — do not respond.

You’ll need to have your Medicare card with you any time you have any medical-related visits or services. This is true even if you have Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or Medigap supplemental insurance.

Your primary doctor may make a copy of your card on your first visit, so they will have it readily available on file. However, pharmacies, testing labs, some doctors and other health care providers will require you to show it during each visit.

Be sure to let your doctor or other health care provider know if you’ve received a replacement or updated Medicare card. They will need the new information.

While you can legally laminate your Medicare card — you shouldn’t. Laminating your important identification cards can prevent detection of security features, according to the Social Security Administration.