INSURANCE

Laura Mutsko Agent, CSA and Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist

Q: I heard that Medicare will begin issuing new Medicare Cards in April. When will I get my replacement card and do I have to do anything to get my card? A: Medicare will begin sending replacement cards to all Medicare beneficiaries beginning in April 2018. You may not receive yours right away because it will take around a year for Medicare to replace everyone’s card. Your replacement card will have a new number that is unique to you and uses a combination of eleven letters and numbers instead of your Social Security number. The change in ID numbers will help to reduce identity theft and will not affect your benefits. Your new Medicare card will be sent automatically by mail to the address on file with Social Security. If you’ve moved recently, make sure your mailing address is up-to-date. To report a change of address, you can: • Visit your online my Social Security account. • Call Social Security at 1-800-7721213. TTY users can call 1-800-3250778.

• Contact your local Social Security office.

You can protect yourself against identity theft by guarding your current card. Anyone who is on a Medicare Advantage Plan does not need to carry their original Medicare card. If you are on Original Medicare I suggest making a copy of your card and black out all but the last four digits of your number and carry that instead of your original card. Be wary of scammers who may be looking for ways to take advantage of you during the transition to the new cards. Do not be fooled if someone calls or visits you demanding you allow them to switch out your card. Medicare will not send someone to your home or phone you asking for personal information such as your Medicare number.

If you receive a phone call about the new card, ignore that your caller-id may show that the call is from Medicare or CMS. This is likely a phony caller-id that helps the scammers look more believable. When in doubt, contact the Medicare helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800633-4227. If you would like to learn more about Medicare, please join me for my class, Getting Started with Medicare. You can also find information on upcoming classes at www.mutskoinsurance.com/ seminars. For all your other questions on insurance, including life, health, dental, vision and Medicare Advantage plans, contact me at 440-255-5700. I look forward to helping you. Laura Mutsko Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC 6982 Spinach Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-5700 www.mutskoinsurance.com