INSURANCE

Laura Mutsko Agent, CSA and Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist

Q: Do you know when I will get my new Medicare card?

A: Keep an eye on your mailbox — Medicare has recently started mailing new Medicare cards to Ohio residents. It will take about a month for all Ohio Medicare beneficiaries to receive their new cards, so you may get your new Medicare card at a different time than your friends or neighbors. Medicare has set up a way for you to track the status of your card once it has been mailed. You can go to MyMedicare.gov and request to be notified by email once your card is in the mail. Once you get your new Medicare card, please destroy your old Medicare card and start using your new card right away. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan instead of Original Medicare, your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card will remain your main card and you should still keep and use it whenever you need care.

It is especially important for you to watch out for scams NOW. Your new card will automatically come to you. You do not have to do anything to get your new card as long as your address is up to date with Medicare. No one for Medicare will contact you or have to make any special arrangements for you to get your new card. Scam artists may call and ask you for your personal information like your current Medicare number. Remember, your old Medicare number uses your Social Security number which you should always be careful of sharing. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your personal information, hang up and immediately call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Please contact me if you have questions concerning life, health, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Medicare Advantage plans or other insurance questions. I can be reached at 440-255-5700 or Lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com.

Laura Mutsko Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC 6982 Spinach Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-5700 www.mutskoinsurance.com