Medicare customers to begin receiving new cards lacking Social Security numbers to combat identity fraud

In an effort to protect people from health care fraud, the government is distributing new Medicare cards that lack Social Security numbers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has started a yearlong process this month to send the cards to the millions of people enrolled in the federal health insurance program. However, Oklahoma residents will not begin to receive their replacements until after June, according to a news release from LIFE Senior Services.

The cards feature a unique 11-digit Medicare number that is replacing the Social Security number-based Health Insurance Claim Number.

The purpose of the new numbers is to help combat identify fraud, according to the release. Scammers often prey upon Medicare members by calling them and requesting the Social Security number located on the cards under false pretenses, allowing them access to personal information.

The new numbers, which are randomly generated, will help prevent scammers from accessing this information.

"Should you lose your Medicare card today, you would be concerned because you also lost your Social Security number, which could be compromised," said Cindy Loftin, program coordinator for LIFE Senior Services. "If you lose the new card, they could issue a new one with another randomly selected number that isn't tied to any of your personal information."

However, Loftin said the cards still can be used fraudulently if someone tries to use it to receive medical services, but Medicare members quickly can call to have them canceled like with a credit card.

There also have been reports in other parts of the country of scammers calling members and telling them they can expedite the process of receiving their new cards by paying a processing fee.

Loftin stressed that members do not have to do anything to ensure they receive their cards; they will be mailed to everyone.

She said it's sad to see so many people trying to take advantage of others.

"It's very frustrating," Loftin said. "For years people always said that because seniors are so vulnerable, that's why they're targeted. But I think we're all potential victims, not just seniors. This is just the latest thing they can latch onto to scam people."

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expected to finish mailing the new cards in April 2019. Both cards can be used until December 2019, giving customers a lengthy grace period for switching over.

Loftin advises customers to destroy their old cards after receiving the new ones. She also said Medicare will never contact someone uninvited to ask for personal information.