How to Get a Replacement Medicare Card or Your First Card

How to Request a New Medicare Card

You can request a replacement Medicare card or your first card through Medicare.gov, by phone, or by mail. The fastest route is online at Medicare.gov — you can submit your request in about five minutes if you have your Social Security number and date of birth. By phone, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and a representative will process your request while you wait. By mail, you fill out Form CMS-582 and send it to your state's Medicare office.

Your new card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days in most cases, though it can take longer during high-volume periods. You do not need to do anything else while you wait — your Medicare coverage does not stop, and your benefits stay active even if your physical card has not arrived yet. If you need proof of coverage before the card arrives, you can print a temporary notice from your Medicare account online.

Key Takeaways

The online method at Medicare.gov is fastest and requires only your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address.
You can call 1-800-MEDICARE to request a card by phone and speak to a representative who can answer questions about your coverage at the same time.
Mail requests use Form CMS-582 and take longer but work if you do not have internet access or prefer a paper process.
Your Medicare coverage remains active while your new card is in the mail, so you can use your old card or a temporary notice to see providers.
If you lose your card or it is damaged, you can request a replacement the same way as a first-time request.

Requesting Your Card Online

Go to Medicare.gov and sign in to your Medicare account. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and a password. You will need to verify your identity — Medicare will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, and the answer to a security question you set up during account creation.

Once you are signed in, look for "Replace your Medicare card" or "Get a new Medicare card" in the menu. Fill in your current address and confirm your mailing address — Medicare sends cards to the address on file. Review your information for accuracy, then submit. You will see a confirmation number on screen; write it down or take a screenshot. Medicare will also send a confirmation email to the address you provided when you created your account.

Requesting Your Card by Phone

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell the representative you need a new Medicare card. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current mailing address ready. The representative will confirm your identity by asking security questions, then process your request while you are on the phone.

Ask the representative for a confirmation number before you hang up. The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. This method works well if you have questions about your coverage or need to update your address at the same time you request a card. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time.

Requesting Your Card by Mail

read or request Form CMS-582 from Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE to have one mailed to you. Fill out the form with your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and current mailing address. Sign and date the form, then mail it to your state's Medicare office. You can find your state's address on the form itself or on Medicare.gov under "State Health Insurance information Programs."

Mail requests take longer than online or phone requests — typically 2 to 3 weeks from the time Medicare receives your form. Keep a copy of the form for your records. If you are mailing from outside the United States, allow extra time for delivery.

What Information You Need Before You Request

Gather these items before you start your request, whether online, by phone, or by mail: your Social Security number, your date of birth, and your current mailing address. If you have changed your name since you first enrolled in Medicare, have your legal name change document available — you may need to provide it by mail after your initial request.

If you are requesting a card for someone else (such as a spouse or parent), you will need their Social Security number and date of birth, plus proof that you have authority to act on their behalf. Medicare will ask for a power of attorney document or guardianship papers. If you do not have these, the person whose card you are requesting must make the request themselves.

What Happens After You Submit Your Request

Your new card is printed and mailed to the address you provided. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days, but during peak periods (such as January when new enrollees receive their first cards) it can take up to two weeks. You will not receive a phone call or email telling you the card has shipped — it straightforward arrives in your mailbox.

If your card does not arrive within two weeks, log back into your Medicare account online or call 1-800-MEDICARE to check the status. Have your confirmation number ready. If there was an error with your address or the card was lost in the mail, Medicare can issue a replacement when ready.

Using Your Old Card or Temporary Proof While You Wait

Your old Medicare card remains valid until your new one arrives. You can continue to use it at doctor's offices, hospitals, and pharmacies. If your old card is damaged or you do not have it with you, you can print a temporary notice of coverage from your Medicare account online — this document shows your Medicare number and coverage dates and works as proof of coverage at most providers.

To print your temporary notice, sign into your Medicare account, find "Medicare card" or "Coverage" in the menu, and look for an option to print or read a temporary document. Some providers may ask to see your physical card eventually, but they cannot deny you care while you are waiting for it to arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a new Medicare card?

Standard delivery is 7 to 10 business days. During busy periods, especially in January, it can take up to two weeks. If you need proof of coverage before your card arrives, you can print a temporary notice from your Medicare account online.

What if I never received my first Medicare card?

Request a replacement using the same process — online, by phone, or by mail. If you enrolled in Medicare more than a month ago and still have not received your card, call 1-800-MEDICARE to check whether there was an address error or delivery problem.

Can I request a card for someone else?

Only if you have legal authority, such as power of attorney or guardianship. Otherwise, the person whose card you need must request it themselves. You can help them complete the request, but their name and signature must be on the form or account.

What if my address has changed since I enrolled?

Update your address in your Medicare account before you request a new card, or tell the representative when you call. Your new card will be mailed to the updated address. If you do not update it first, the card will go to your old address.

Do I need to do anything special if my name has changed?

Request a new card through the normal process, then follow up by mail with a copy of your legal name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Medicare will update your records and may issue a corrected card if needed.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.