Approximately 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries nationwide began receiving replacement Medicare cards in March 2026 after their personal information was potentially compromised in a recent data breach that led to fraudulent activity. The newly issued cards include updated Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers and have been mailed directly to affected individuals across the country.
According to Medicare, this effort is unrelated to the 2018 CMS initiative that removed Social Security numbers from all Medicare cards, beneficiaries should remain vigilant against scams that often arise during periods of heightened outreach.
As a reminder, Medicare cards are free and are paper, never plastic. Medicare does not contact beneficiaries by phone to issue a new card. There is also no activation required for the card.
Anyone who suspects Medicare fraud is asked to contact Medicare immediately. Examples of fraud include a provider that bills Medicare for services or supplies they never give you, like charging you for a visit you never had, or a back brace you never got. A provider that charges Medicare twice for a service or item that you only got once or who steals your Medicare number or card and uses it to submit fraudulent claims on your behalf is also committing fraud.
Other types of fraud include a Medicare drug lan that Medicare has not approved or a person who comes to your home or calls you, offering to sign you up for hospice care as long as you give them your Medicare number.
To confirm that a new card has been issued, call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-2273). If you suspect Medicare fraud, call the Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-223-9074, Ext. 2.
Beginning January 1, 2026, a new Birthday Rule Special Enrollment went into effect. Existing Medicare Supplement policy holders can change to a different Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan with equal or lesser benefits beginning 30 days before the individual’s birthday. This enrollment remains open 30 days after the individual’s birthday and the insurance company is required to approve the coverage without consideration of medical history.
For existing Medicare Advantage Policyholders, the new law, better ensures that those enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C) can cancel their coverage and return to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan during federally designated enrollment windows. Because this coverage is very different from Medicare Advantage offerings, Medigap carriers can consider medical history and may apply waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
  Approximately 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries nationwide began receiving replacement Medicare cards in March 2026 after their personal information was potentially compromised in a recent data breach that led to fraudulent activity. The newly issued cards include updated Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers and have been mailed directly to affected individuals across the country.
According to Medicare, this effort is unrelated to the 2018 CMS initiative that removed Social Security numbers from all Medicare cards, beneficiaries should remain vigilant against scams that often arise during periods of heightened outreach.
As a reminder, Medicare cards are free and are paper, never plastic. Medicare does not contact beneficiaries by phone to issue a new card. There is also no activation required for the card.
Anyone who suspects Medicare fraud is asked to contact Medicare immediately. Examples of fraud include a provider that bills Medicare for services or supplies they never give you, like charging you for a visit you never had, or a back brace you never got. A provider that charges Medicare twice for a service or item that you only got once or who steals your Medicare number or card and uses it to submit fraudulent claims on your behalf is also committing fraud.
Other types of fraud include a Medicare drug lan that Medicare has not approved or a person who comes to your home or calls you, offering to sign you up for hospice care as long as you give them your Medicare number.
To confirm that a new card has been issued, call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-2273). If you suspect Medicare fraud, call the Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-223-9074, Ext. 2.
Beginning January 1, 2026, a new Birthday Rule Special Enrollment went into effect. Existing Medicare Supplement policy holders can change to a different Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan with equal or lesser benefits beginning 30 days before the individual’s birthday. This enrollment remains open 30 days after the individual’s birthday and the insurance company is required to approve the coverage without consideration of medical history.
For existing Medicare Advantage Policyholders, the new law, better ensures that those enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C) can cancel their coverage and return to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan during federally designated enrollment windows. Because this coverage is very different from Medicare Advantage offerings, Medigap carriers can consider medical history and may apply waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
