You can download and print a copy of your Medicare card from your online MyMedicare.gov account. You can also call 800-MEDICARE or visit your local Social Security office to request a replacement card.

If your Medicare card is ever lost or stolen, don’t worry. You can replace it online, by phone, or in person.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you also may be able to show an enrollment letter or contact your insurance company to receive a replacement.

Keep reading for detailed instructions on how to get a new Medicare card if the need ever arises.

Medicare officials know that losing your Medicare card is common. You have several options for replacement should you lose your Medicare card. These include:

  • Online: You can go to MyMedicare.gov and create an account or log in to your existing profile. From this site, you can print an official copy of your Medicare card. You can also request a replacement card to arrive via mail by clicking “Replacement Documents” and then “Mail my replacement Medicare card.”
  • Phone: You can call the Medicare office at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227; TTY: 877-486-2048) to request a new Medicare card. You can also call this number if you’re worried someone else is using your Medicare number to obtain health benefits.
  • In person: You can go to your local Social Security office and request they send you a replacement card. The Social Security website allows you to search for their nearest location.

When you order a replacement Medicare card, it usually arrives about 30 days after you order it. If you don’t receive your card within that time, it’s important to contact the Medicare office again. It’s possible that your replacement card was lost or stolen.

Can I lookup my Medicare number with my social security number?

Your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) is a unique 11-digit code with numbers and letters different from your Social Security number. If you’ve lost your Medicare card, you can call Medicare to find your MBI. You can also check your Social Security benefits verification letter.

Other documents, where you may also find your Medicare number, include your Medicare Summary Notice and your Medicaid card if you have both Medicare and Medicaid.

How do I replace my Medicare card during a disaster or emergency?

If you’re in an area affected by a natural disaster or another emergency, the rules for receiving care via Medicare may be suspended. For example, you may not have as strict rules about going to in-network professionals or pharmacies.

If possible, you can obtain an image of your Medicare plan in an emergency by going to MyMedicare.gov and printing a replacement copy. It’s a good idea to go ahead and sign up for an online account now. If there’s an emergency, you’ll already have your login information.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to traditional Medicare. With Part C, a private insurance company administers your Medicare policy.

If you have Medicare Advantage, you’ll need to contact your individual insurance company to order a replacement insurance card. Here are some ways you can do this:

Call your insurance company

You can contact your insurance company via phone to request a new insurance card. Here are the phone numbers for some of the most common Medicare Advantage companies:

  • Aetna: 855-335-1407 (TTY: 711)
  • BlueCross BlueShield: 888-630-2583
  • Cigna: 866-459-4272
  • Kaiser Permanente: 888-901-4636
  • UnitedHealthcare: 800-607-2877 (TTY: 711)

Write to your insurance company

You can get in touch with your insurance company by writing a letter to request a new insurance card. Here are the mailing addresses for some of the most common Medicare Advantage companies:

  • Aetna: Aetna Inc., P.O. Box 14088, Lexington, KY 40512
  • BlueCross BlueShield: You must contact member services online or by phone.
  • Cigna: Cigna Corporate Headquarters, 900 Cottage Grove Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
  • Kaiser Permanente: Kaiser Permanente has several locations around the country. The addresses for each area are here.

Online renewals

Most insurance companies have an online portal where you can get information on your policy and request a new card.

  • Aetna: Click here to find the online portal for your Aetna plan.
  • BlueCross BlueShield: Click here to find the BlueCross BlueShield Member benefits portal.
  • Cigna: Click here to find the Cigna Medicare portal.
  • Kaiser Permanente: Click here to find the Kaiser Permanent portal.
  • UnitedHealthcare: Click here to access the UnitedHealthcare portal.

Even if you don’t have one of these Medicare Advantage plans, you can usually contact your insurance company, reach out to your individual insurance agent, or go to your insurance company’s website to find where you can order a new card.

You can take several steps to obtain prescriptions if you’ve lost your Medicare card and your replacement card has not yet arrived. These include:

  • bringing any documentation you have from your Medicare plan to the pharmacy, such as a letter of acknowledgment, confirmation, or welcome from Medicare
  • bringing an enrollment confirmation from Medicare to the pharmacy, making sure it includes information such as your policy number

A pharmacy may also obtain your Medicare Part D information by contacting Medicare. They may ask for your Medicare number (if you know it) or the last four digits of your Social Security number. They can use this information to find out about your Medicare coverage.

What insurance companies say to do

Most insurance companies advise contacting them or visiting their online portal if you lose your Medicare card. Some ways you can obtain the information include:

  • bringing your enrollment confirmation from your Medicare Advantage plan to the pharmacy, making sure it includes your plan’s name, enrollment confirmation number, and a phone number on how to contact the plan
  • keeping a scanned copy of the front and back of your card in a safe place so you can access your policy number and key phone numbers to call

If, despite your best efforts, you can’t obtain your Medicare information and need to get your prescriptions refilled, you may need to pay for them out-of-pocket.

But save your payment receipts. Once you have your information, you can call your Medicare plan to arrange reimbursement.

That said, Medicare.gov has a page on how to get prescriptions in specific emergencies, including if you need dialysis or cancer treatments.

If you’re receiving benefits from the SSA or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you don’t have to apply for Medicare.

You’ll automatically be signed up for Medicare parts A and B as you near your 65th birthday, which means your first Medicare card will be mailed to you 3 to 4 months before your birthday.

If you’re not automatically enrolled, you must apply for Original Medicare (parts A and B) and any additional coverage you want. Once this happens, Medicare will send you your card.

Keep your Medicare card in a safe place, and give it only to healthcare providers, hospital workers, or pharmacists. Medicare officials should not call you directly and ask for your Medicare number.

If you aren’t sure whether the person asking for your card is with Medicare, you should call 800-MEDICARE and ask if someone from the Medicare office called you.

You can usually print a copy of your Medicare card from the Internet. Setting up an account on MyMedicare.gov can help speed up this process.