Some time back someone posted that they were sending out new Medicare cards without your social security number. I had about decided that either I missed it or they didn't send me one. Well today they came in, mine and my wife. Who else got theirs? I was really reluctant to show my previous card due to the social security card. I'm glad for the change. Now I'd like to know why they can't be laminated!!!
Medicare Cards
- Thread starter Bear Paw Jack
- Start date
I got mine about a week after hearing that new cards were being issued.
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
Bear Paw Jack said:
Because lamination interferes with that nano chip embedded in it and the government needs to be able to track your whereabouts via satellite. :wink: :lol:
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I made a copy and put it in a safe place in case I loose the original.
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
I got mine several weeks ago ; Hadn't thought about laminating it.
yooper1
Single-Sixer
This page shows when new ones were and will be mailed.
https://www.medicare.gov/newcard
https://www.medicare.gov/newcard
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
I have not laminated my card, but I DO put the wide packaging tape on it.
I have a sheet of paper with my medications on it. I print that and tape it
to the back of my card. I figure if I am not awake and am having problems,
Emer. Serv. people . . . could . . . need that information. :D
I have a sheet of paper with my medications on it. I print that and tape it
to the back of my card. I figure if I am not awake and am having problems,
Emer. Serv. people . . . could . . . need that information. :D
I have "advantage" supplemental insurance. They advise that I never carry or use my Medicare card, but instead always use their "membership" card for all medical transactions. This has worked just fine for several years now.
I keep my Medicare card, along with my Social Security card, in my safe along with other critical paperwork.
:)
I keep my Medicare card, along with my Social Security card, in my safe along with other critical paperwork.
:)
As soon as the new cards arrived I went to FedEx/Kinkos and had them laminate the cards. Its sort of ironic that the change was made to protect the secrecy of our Social Security Administration numbers, even though the original cards clearly said they were not to be used for identification. When I entered the military in 1966 we were issued "Service numbers". Three years later, in 1969, everyone's Social Security number became their new Service Number. All of my dependents' ID cards used my Social Security number to identify them and verify that they were legitimate dependents and eligible for military benefits. Then all of a sudden, in the internet age, Social Security numbers became something not to be shared because the credit agencies were using them to verify identities. Weird. But it is likely that all sorts of people already know your Social Security number, particularly any organization that is billing your insurance company or the government for health insurance purposes.
Just think, every clerk that processes any document relating to your health care has access to your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address and other data with which to "steal" your identity.
A number of years ago, due to just this concern over identity theft, I instituted a "security freeze" for myself and my wife with the three national credit agencies. At the time it cost me a total of $60 to get this done, but in my opinion it was well worth it. We have never had an issue with identity theft, and whenever I have needed a credit check to be done I just call in for a temporary lifting of the freeze, a simple no cost process.
So even with your new SS card, don't be careless about identity theft. I think the "security freeze" plan is just as effective, if not more so, than paying every month for something like "LifeLock". FWIW, one of my son's, who used to be an identity theft investigator for the State of Wisconsin, said that LifeLock and other's like it were basically worthless and a scam.
Just think, every clerk that processes any document relating to your health care has access to your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address and other data with which to "steal" your identity.
A number of years ago, due to just this concern over identity theft, I instituted a "security freeze" for myself and my wife with the three national credit agencies. At the time it cost me a total of $60 to get this done, but in my opinion it was well worth it. We have never had an issue with identity theft, and whenever I have needed a credit check to be done I just call in for a temporary lifting of the freeze, a simple no cost process.
So even with your new SS card, don't be careless about identity theft. I think the "security freeze" plan is just as effective, if not more so, than paying every month for something like "LifeLock". FWIW, one of my son's, who used to be an identity theft investigator for the State of Wisconsin, said that LifeLock and other's like it were basically worthless and a scam.
As soon as the new cards arrived I went to FedEx/Kinkos and had them laminate the cards. Its sort of ironic that the change was made to protect the secrecy of our Social Security Administration numbers, even though the original cards clearly said they were not to be used for identification. When I entered the military in 1966 we were issued "Service numbers". Three years later, in 1969, everyone's Social Security number became their new Service Number. All of my dependents' ID cards used my Social Security number to identify them and verify that they were legitimate dependents and eligible for military benefits. Then all of a sudden, in the internet age, Social Security numbers became something not to be shared because the credit agencies were using them to verify identities. Weird. But it is likely that all sorts of people already know your Social Security number, particularly any organization that is billing your insurance company or the government for health insurance purposes.
Just think, every clerk that processes any document relating to your health care has access to your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address and other data with which to "steal" your identity.
A number of years ago, due to just this concern over identity theft, I instituted a "security freeze" for myself and my wife with the three national credit agencies. At the time it cost me a total of $60 to get this done, but in my opinion it was well worth it. We have never had an issue with identity theft, and whenever I have needed a credit check to be done I just call in for a temporary lifting of the freeze, a simple no cost process.
So even with your new SS card, don't be careless about identity theft. I think the "security freeze" plan is just as effective, if not more so, than paying every month for something like "LifeLock". FWIW, one of my son's, who used to be an identity theft investigator for the State of Wisconsin, said that LifeLock and other's like it were basically worthless and a scam.
Just think, every clerk that processes any document relating to your health care has access to your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address and other data with which to "steal" your identity.
A number of years ago, due to just this concern over identity theft, I instituted a "security freeze" for myself and my wife with the three national credit agencies. At the time it cost me a total of $60 to get this done, but in my opinion it was well worth it. We have never had an issue with identity theft, and whenever I have needed a credit check to be done I just call in for a temporary lifting of the freeze, a simple no cost process.
So even with your new SS card, don't be careless about identity theft. I think the "security freeze" plan is just as effective, if not more so, than paying every month for something like "LifeLock". FWIW, one of my son's, who used to be an identity theft investigator for the State of Wisconsin, said that LifeLock and other's like it were basically worthless and a scam.
LGC42
Single-Sixer
My wife and I received ours about a month ago
had mine about two months and my wife's came in about a month ago. Out state used the SS# on driver's license until about two years ago and gradually phased it out when issuing new licenses. I don't worry about laminating or protecting the card. Last one was 5 years in the wallet and if this one lasts that long, I hope I do too.
caryc
Hawkeye
Ale-8(1) said:
Same thing here. I have Kaiser as my supplemental insurance so all I need to show is my Kaiser card anywhere I go. My new medicare card is in my safe deposit box at the bank. I have that card's number written down in my wallet should there ever come an occasion that I need it.
I had Kaiser as my medical insurance before I even got on medicare at age 65 so at age 65 I stayed with Kaiser but no longer had to pay them a monthly payment. So, I have never carried any medicare card.
As for the new medicare number, I did not give it to Kaiser and do not know if they even have it or not. They did have the old one which was my SS number.
ronto
Hunter
I received mine months ago and I did laminate to prevent it from becoming a tattered mess like some business cards I keep in my wallet.
john guedry
Single-Sixer
We havn't seen hide nor hair of ours yet.
fiasconva
Blackhawk
I took mine and the wife's and laminated them as soon as we got them. I don't recall seeing anything about not laminating them. So far, all my doctor's have taken mine with no problems.
