The Original issued Medicare identification Card

Your Original Medicare Card

A Medicare card is a government-issued identification card that shows that a person is officially enrolled in the Medicare program.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that provides health coverage for those age 65 in Florida, younger people with certain disabilities, and patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

The Medicare card includes the person's name, Medicare number that's unique to you yet not your social security number, and the dates that their Medicare coverage began and will end. The card is used to receive medical services and supplies covered by Medicare. It is important to keep the Medicare card safe and only share the information on it with trusted healthcare providers. This helps protect your identity

A fee-for-service health insurance program that has 2 parts:  Medicare Part A (listed as HOSPITAL), Part B (listed as MEDICAL), or both.You typically pay a portion of the costs for covered services as you get them. Under Original Medicare, you don’t have coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan or another type of Medicare health plan.

Once you’re age 65 in Florida and signed up for Medicare, they will mail you your Medicare card in your welcome packet. You can also log into (or create) your secure Medicare account on Medicare.gov to print your official Medicare card.

Medicare will mail your paper Medicare card (red, white and blue card and other items, like official letters and premium bills) to the address you have on file with Social Security. It’s important that your address is up to date at Social Security.

Protect your Medicare Number like a credit card

Only give personal information, like your Medicare Number, to health care providers, your insurance companies or Florida health plans (and their licensed agents or brokers), or people you trust that work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).


Medicare or Social Security will never call you uninvited and ask you to give us personal or private information.

Carrying your card

You will need the information on your Medicare card to join a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or prescription drug plan (Part D) or buy Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), so keep your Medicare card in a safe place.

If you have Original Medicare:

• Carry your Medicare card with you when you’re away from home.
• Show your Medicare card to your doctor, hospital, or other health care provider when you get services.
• If you have a Medicare drug plan or supplemental coverage, carry that plan card with you too.

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan:

• You’ll use your plan’s card to get services, not your Original Medicare card.
• Keep your Medicare ID card in a safe place in case you switch plans or go back to the Original Medicare benefit later.

How do you get another Medicare card

My card is lost or damaged — Log into (or create) your secure Medicare account to print or order an official copy of your Medicare card. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to order a replacement card to be sent in the mail. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

If you get Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you can call 1-877-722-5772 to get a replacement card. TTY users can call 1-312-751-4701.

My name changed — Your Medicare card shows the name you have on file with Social Security. Get details from Social Security if you legally changed your name.