Social Security does not send Medicare cards — Medicare does
When you turn 65, your Medicare coverage begins automatically if you are already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), not Social Security, mails your Medicare card. Social Security handles your retirement or disability payments. Medicare handles your health insurance. They are two separate federal programs, and each one sends its own paperwork.
Your Medicare card arrives by mail about two weeks before your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65. If you do not receive it within three weeks of your birthday, or if your card arrives damaged, you can request a replacement through Medicare directly.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare sends your card automatically if you are already on Social Security retirement or disability benefits when you turn 65.
- Your card should arrive by mail two to three weeks before your coverage begins on the first of the month you turn 65.
- If your card does not arrive or is damaged, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to request a replacement.
- You do not need to do anything with Social Security to get your Medicare card — the two programs share information automatically.
When your Medicare card is mailed
CMS mails Medicare cards on a schedule tied to your birthday month. If you turn 65 in January, your card arrives in late December or early January. The exact timing varies slightly depending on mail delivery in your area, but the goal is always to have the card in your hands before your coverage date.
Your coverage begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. So if your birthday is January 15, your Medicare coverage starts January 1, and your card should arrive by mid-December. This gives you time to share your new Medicare number with your doctors before you need it.
What happens if you are not yet on Social Security
If you turn 65 but have not yet started receiving Social Security benefits, you still need to sign up for Medicare separately. You can do this through Medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or by visiting your local Social Security office in person. Medicare will not automatically enroll you just because you are 65.
Once you sign up for Medicare, CMS will mail your card. The timing depends on when you submit your request, but you should receive it within two to three weeks. If you miss the initial sign-up window (the three months before and three months after the month you turn 65), you may face a permanent penalty on your Part B premiums, so it is important to sign up on time even if you have not started Social Security yet.
How to replace a lost or damaged Medicare card
If your card does not arrive, arrives damaged, or you lose it after receiving it, you can get a replacement without waiting. Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and request a replacement card. You can also order one online through your Medicare.gov account if you have set one up.
A replacement card takes about two weeks to arrive by mail. While you wait, you do not need a physical card to receive care — your doctors can look up your Medicare number using your Social Security number. If you need proof of coverage right away, Medicare can email or print a temporary notice of coverage that you can show to your provider.
Your Medicare number and Social Security number
Starting in 2020, Medicare stopped using your Social Security number as your Medicare number. Your new card shows a unique Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) instead. This is a 12-character number that looks different from your Social Security number and is used only for Medicare claims and coverage.
Your doctors and hospitals will ask for this MBI when you visit. Keep your Medicare card in a safe place, just as you would your Social Security card. If someone asks for your Social Security number in connection with Medicare, verify that they are a legitimate Medicare provider or your doctor's office before sharing it.
What to do if you never receive your card
If three weeks have passed since your coverage date and you have not received your card, contact Medicare directly. Have your Social Security number ready when you call. Medicare can confirm that your card was mailed and provide your Medicare number over the phone so you can give it to your doctors when ready.
Do not contact Social Security about a missing Medicare card — they cannot help with Medicare issues. Social Security and Medicare are separate agencies with separate mail systems. Calling Social Security will only delay getting your card replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Social Security tell me when my Medicare card is coming?
No. Social Security does not handle Medicare cards or send notifications about them. You will receive a notice from Medicare (CMS) about two weeks before your coverage starts. If you do not get a notice, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Can I get my Medicare card faster than two weeks?
No, standard replacement cards take about two weeks by mail. However, Medicare can provide your Medicare number when ready over the phone, and you can use that number with your doctors right away without waiting for the physical card.
What if I am on Social Security but turned 65 before I started receiving benefits?
You still need to sign up for Medicare separately, even though you are on Social Security. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov to enroll. Once you sign up, your card will be mailed within two to three weeks.
Is my Medicare card number the same as my Social Security number?
No. Your Medicare card now shows a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), which is a 12-character number unique to Medicare. Your Social Security number is separate and should not be used for Medicare claims.
What should I do with my old Medicare card that had my Social Security number?
Destroy it by shredding or cutting it up. Do not throw it in the trash where someone could find it. Your new card with your MBI is the one to use for all Medicare-related visits and claims.