Medicare Card

itsmagic · ‎08-08-2011

I'm new to Medicare this month and I decided on a supplement and prescription plan which is all set. What concerns me is having to show my Medicare card (in addition to my supplement card) with my social security number on it at any doctors, hospitals. etc. I've always taken great care not to give out my social security number. Does this bother anyone else?

violann · ‎03-10-2010

@itsmagic wrote:
I'm new to Medicare this month and I decided on a supplement and prescription plan which is all set. What concerns me is having to show my Medicare card (in addition to my supplement card) with my social security number on it at any doctors, hospitals. etc. I've always taken great care not to give out my social security number. Does this bother anyone else?

Actually, it DOES bother me too, @itsmagic, but since it only happens in medical facilities and financial institutions, I try to convince myself that it's always in a setting of medical/professional confidentiality.

Hope I'm right!

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

It is bothersome, but in the 10 years I've been doing just that I've never heard a solution. Every once in a while we hear something about a change, but I suspect almost any change would be very traceable by thieves, too.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

I've always been exactly like you. I am 70 this year. I had to get used to everyone on this planet having access to my social security number. There is no way around it.

You will find yourself giving out (and handing out that number) every time you turn around!

But get this! I recently applied for social security. I waited until I was 70 so I got the full amount. I have to get my late husband's social security because I'm a widow and when I worked the government did not take out social security (how about that).

Well, I got my new card and now I had out his social security number (no longer mine), but I have to make sure they also have mine, just don't submit any payment request under mine, do it under his......(that is going to get mixed up....you wait). I think it already happened, I have to call Medicare this week for lack of payment!

I'm so sorry because I totally understand how you feel. I've never gotten over it. I was one of the first people to take my social security number off of everything when we could (remember it used to be printed on checks). Now it's plastered everywhere.

I've made every call I could and there is nothing that can be done about it.

I never wanted or needed Medicare in the first place. My late husband was self-employed, I had no say in Medicare. I could afford to live without it. That, my dear is where your tax money goes to. I think if you can afford to pay for regular insurance AND you want to have your own, you should be able to get your own insurance. There are Drs who won't take Medicare if that's all you have. What about those people? It's sad really.

Trix · ‎03-16-2010

Medicare cards being used in institutions and facilities which try to have higher than usual safeguards. Of course anything can be compromised these days, but I feel more confident of security related to my Medicare card than I do swiping my credit/debit card at any retailer or gas station.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

I'm just starting Medicare this month, too, and am not happy about carrying around my social security number in my purse. I'm still trying to figure out Medi-Gap and Part D. I take five prescriptions. They're all generic, but it says my part will be something like $4,500 a year for prescriptions. That doesn't make sense to me. Also, the first six months of prescriptions are outrageously expensive, and the last six months are more than reasonable. I'm very confused. I've tried to figure this out on Medicare's website and also One Exchange. I'm going to have to call someone for help with this.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

2cockers1cat · ‎03-09-2010

In April, 2015, Congress authorized HHS to remove our SSN's from Medicare accounts. However---- it affects new enrollees first. So, by 2019 (!!), new accounts will have a different ID system. For the rest of us, 2023-ish is the change date. (Of course, many of the current users will be gone by then.)

shaggygirl · ‎11-24-2011

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.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

@NickNack I just received a HUGE book from Medicare supposedly explaining things.

I wish they'd save the money they spent on printing that thing (it's huge) and spend it on making Medicare services better for those who have only Medicare. It must have cost a fortune to print this thing and it's is difficult to understand in the first place!

This country is all about youth. Once you reach retirement age, instead of things getting easier they become more complicated and difficult to maneuver around.

I'm lucky because I have my oldest daughter, especially, who is very smart (we educated her well....Ha!). She and my sons-in-law and other daughters help me figure these things out. If I didn't have them to help me, I'd be going crazy. I am a widow, so it's just me.

I am so sorry you have to go through this. Believe me, I really do understand. It doesn't make sense. I'm sorry to say, I believe it is going to get worse before it gets better.

My daughter said her generation absolutely knows that they will never get the medicare benefits they pay in to. She said she doesn't mind because at least I am getting those benefits too. I'd really be out of luck had my husband not worked.

I think I get a pretty good amount because my husband was successful and paid a lot of money into it. I do know that if I had to live on just that I don't think I could do it. I know there are people who have to TRY to just live on Medicare. I don't know how they do it.