7 April New Medicare Cards to Be Issued in 2018 April 7, 2017 By Editor Medicare Supplement medicare, medicare supplement, medigap, seniors 0 In 2018, Medicare will no longer use Social Security Numbers for identification. Instead, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) will issue new cards giving each patient a unique Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). This change is brought about by a law passed by Congress to attempt to halt the growing amount of identity theft surrounding Medicare. The new cards are set to be sent out in April 2018, and will help to keep your identity secure. If you are contacted about your new card, ensure that who you are speaking with is a Medicare representative. Related Posts Unpacking Medicare Supplement: Part 1 Along with Medicare, Medicare Supplement or Medigap can give assist in providing more thorough health insurance. Join Maggie as she embarks on a five-part journey to better understand just how beneficial Medicare Supplement coverage can be. The 2018 Medicare Annual Election Period and How to Take Advantage of It The first period is The Annual Election Period (October 15th through December 7th). In this period eligible individuals may enroll or disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan. The second period is The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (January 1st through February 14th). In this period Medicare Advantage enrollees have the opportunity to disenroll from their plan and acquire a Medicare Supplement plan, if they so choose. Unpacking Medicare Supplement: Part 4 Medigap Maggie's learning journey reaches its end and epilogue. Here, further details and potential scenarios are given, and questions are answered. Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) Chart 2018 A quick look at the 2018 Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap) benefits Unpacking Medicare Supplement: Part 2 Maggie continues her quest to learn more about healthcare at age 65 and beyond. In Part 2 of our blog series, she discovers the myriad of details that make up this supplemental insurance. Medicare Supplement Plans and You - Know Your Options If you return to Original Medicare during the Annual Election Period (October 15th – December 7th), you could be eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan. Know your options. Comments are closed.