New Medicare cards aim to reduce fraud, identity theft
More than 224,000 people in
It will take several weeks before residents here receive their new cards, and if it is not received by November, they should call 1-800-633-4227. (See box about a Medicare information session
Akahane said more than 1.3 million people in
"The cards will no longer have a person's
In 2016, there was
Cortesi said people should be on the lookout for scammers who will call your home or be out at community events and say they are Medicare or
"They may say they need your name,
She said people may also receive letters that look as though they came from Medicare asking that if you have not received your new card to call a telephone number where they will gather information about you.
"Some scammers run ads for popular items like braces and ask for your old card number, which is your
Akahane emphasized that seniors, those with disabilities and their caregivers, and families need to be aware.
"Medicare fraud is growing," he said.
When the paper card arrives in the mail, a letter will explain how to use the card. No one has to pay for the card and a person's benefits will remain the same.
Akahane said a person enrolled in the program should check with
"If
The old card should be shredded or cut up and thrown away, said Akahane, adding that the Medicare advantage card, which provides health or drug benefits through a
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