In the past Medicare beneficiaries used their Social Security number as their Medicare number.

In 2018, as a result of some changes instituted by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) each Medicare beneficiary received a new card with a uniquely assigned combination of letters and numbers.

This was done to help keep beneficiaries’ identity and Social Security numbers secure.

Currently fraudsters are still calling beneficiaries falsely claiming that Medicare is issuing new Medicare cards for different reasons. What is important to know is that Medicare will not call beneficiaries to offer them new Medicare cards and request that they confirm their Medicare number.

Some examples of what scammers are offering are:

¯ Plastic Medicare Card.

¯ Plastic Medicare Card with a chip in it.

¯ Medicare Card with Covid-19 vaccination.

¯ Medicare Card that is black and white.

¯ Medicare Card with Primary Doctors name on it.

If you, or someone you know, is receiving these calls, please calls the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-800-333-4374.

The NYS Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) assists individuals in challenging situations like these. The SMP program educates Medicare beneficiaries on how to protect themselves from fraud and abuse and is the go-to when people suspect they’ve been billed incorrectly or have been victim of a scam.

SMP is a program of New York StateWide Senior Action Council, a non-profit organization that helps seniors and families with Medicare questions, Medicare Fraud, and Patient’s Rights. Call us at 1- 800-333-4374.

Call Tiffany Erhard, a certified Outreach Counselor located in Chautauqua County at 1-800-333-4374 for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your situation.