Re: Medicare Card

shaggygirl · ‎11-24-2011

Ahh, thank

@151949 wrote:
@shaggygirl wrote:
I'm not understanding, I never carry my medicare card with me. I only have to carry and show the one from my secondary or supplementary.....or whatever you call it. I've had quite a bit of "stuff" done in the past year....cat scan, ultrasound, blood work, angiogram done at the various places I've had go to get them done. No one has ever asked me anywhere for my medicare card, just the other one. It does say on it ConnectiCare Medicare Plans. I remember when I first got the card it specifically said this is the only one I need to use. It does not have a SS number on it.
If they told you that you don't need your medicare card then you have an advantage plan not a supplement.

Ahh, thank you for getting me squared away on what the correct term is for what I have.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@shaggygirl wrote:
I'm not understanding, I never carry my medicare card with me. I only have to carry and show the one from my secondary or supplementary.....or whatever you call it. I've had quite a bit of "stuff" done in the past year....cat scan, ultrasound, blood work, angiogram done at the various places I've had go to get them done. No one has ever asked me anywhere for my medicare card, just the other one. It does say on it ConnectiCare Medicare Plans. I remember when I first got the card it specifically said this is the only one I need to use. It does not have a SS number on it.

If you have Traditional Medicare and a Supplimental plan, you must carry both cards and show them when you have medical services done.

If you have Advantage Medicare, you only carry and show one card. It appears that you have a Medicare Advnatage plan.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

I'm not on Medicare quite yet (in a few months), but in my life experience dealing with my husband and both parents, the physical Medicare card is often required at various medical facilities the first time you visit so they can make a copy of it for their files. On subsequent visits to the same facility I've never found the actual card itself to be asked for again. This would hold true for when you first get on Medicare too. Every medical facility has always asked to see my private insurance card, as well, on the first visit.

I do like the idea of making a copy of the card and blacking out all but the last of the numbers to carry with you. However, when seeing a doctor or hospital for the first time, I'd still be prepared to take my original card.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

@Nuttmeg As I've said here before, I've been known to change my mind if I'm presented with an opinion that makes sense to me. I thought it over and I realize I was only applying the use of the book to the way I feel. If there's something I don't understand I call the guy who manages my health insurance. I guess I was ignorant in saying the book is useless just because I don't read the thing!

So, I will back track in my comment that the Medicare book is useless. I should have said (I) find it useless.

Oh! By the way people. Do you remember my posting (probably further up) where I said that I received a NEW Medicare card I'm to use that has my late husband's social security number on it. When I received it, I immediately called Medicare and was told that I am to use the new card with his number.

Well I have been and I received two letters (well bills) from Drs. One was for over $9,000.00 and the other one was for over $1,000.00. It stated that I did not have Medicare (or any health insurance) . They said it was based on the fact that the numbers (my social security numbers) did not match the numbers (my late husband's social security numbers).

It said I was to IMMEDIATELY pay these two bills.

Now on Friday I received two other bills for around $1,000.00 with similar language.

So, I'll be spending the next few days on the phone trying to get this cleared up. I don't work so what else do I have to do.....right? Ugh! There are people who can't sit on the phone for 1 or more hours. What do they do?

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
@Nuttmeg As I've said here before, I've been known to change my mind if I'm presented with an opinion that makes sense to me. I thought it over and I realize I was only applying the use of the book to the way I feel. If there's something I don't understand I call the guy who manages my health insurance. I guess I was ignorant in saying the book is useless just because I don't read the thing!

So, I will back track in my comment that the Medicare book is useless. I should have said (I) find it useless.

Oh! By the way people. Do you remember my posting (probably further up) where I said that I received a NEW Medicare card I'm to use that has my late husband's social security number on it. When I received it, I immediately called Medicare and was told that I am to use the new card with his number.

Well I have been and I received two letters (well bills) from Drs. One was for over $9,000.00 and the other one was for over $1,000.00. It stated that I did not have Medicare (or any health insurance) . They said it was based on the fact that the numbers (my social security numbers) did not match the numbers (my late husband's social security numbers).

It said I was to IMMEDIATELY pay these two bills.

Now on Friday I received two other bills for around $1,000.00 with similar language.

So, I'll be spending the next few days on the phone trying to get this cleared up. I don't work so what else do I have to do.....right? Ugh! There are people who can't sit on the phone for 1 or more hours. What do they do?

If you are using your late husband'sss number on your Medicare card, it should have his SS number and a D after the number. 123-45-6789D means you are under a deceased spouses number. 123-45-67-8900A means you are using your own SS number. 123-45-6789B means your spouse is still living, but you are using their SS number because you probably are not eligible under your own number.

You should be carrying your Medicare ID w/ with spouses number and your Supplimental insurance card. You do not need to give the doctors your SS number, as they don't need it.

I would just make a copy of your Medicare card and Supplimental card and send them by mail to the billing offices. Write a note asking them to resubmit the claims under the correct numbers.

Alsee · ‎03-15-2010

My parents were told not to carry the original Medicare card. Carry a photocopy with all numbers blacked out except the last four.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@Alsee wrote:
My parents were told not to carry the original Medicare card. Carry a photocopy with all numbers blacked out except the last four.

I don't understand how any medical office will know where to file a Medicare claim if they do not have the entire number. Your Medicare card will have a SS number with a letter on the end of it.

Not everyone uses their own SS number for Medicare. This blacking out of the numbers doesn't make any sense at all. Doing so opens you up for claim processing errors.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Carmie wrote:
@Alsee wrote:
My parents were told not to carry the original Medicare card. Carry a photocopy with all numbers blacked out except the last four.
I don't understand how any medical office will know where to file a Medicare claim if they do not have the entire number. Your Medicare card will have a SS number with a letter on the end of it.

Not everyone uses their own SS number for Medicare. This blacking out of the numbers doesn't make any sense at all. Doing so opens you up for claim processing errors.

@Carmie

I believe that the point is to provide the blacked out number when you need to show the card. After all ... don't you know your SS number?