What to Do When You Get Your Medicare Card in the Mail

You Opened the Mailbox and There It Was

A red, white, and blue card. Medicare. Official-looking. And now you are wondering what exactly you are supposed to do with it.

You are not alone in feeling a little lost. I talk to Lawrence residents every week who get their Medicare card and immediately have questions. This post walks through the six things worth doing in the first week after it arrives, plus what to watch out for.

First, Confirm the Card Is Real

Scams targeting new Medicare beneficiaries are common. Before you do anything else, look at the envelope and the card itself.

A legitimate Medicare card comes from the federal government or, in some cases, the Railroad Retirement Board. The envelope has an official return address, not a PO box in a random state. The card itself is red, white, and blue. It has your name, your Medicare Number (also called Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, or MBI), a capital letter at the end of the number sequence, and the date your Part A and Part B coverage each begin.

What a real card does NOT have:

• Your Social Security number
• Your birth date
• A plan name or plan logo
• A request for you to call a number "to activate" your card
• A notice that you must pay something to keep your coverage active

If the envelope includes a letter asking for money, personal information, or immediate action, it is almost certainly a scam. Medicare never charges for your card and never asks you to call and activate it.

Second, Verify the Details Are Correct

Read every line on the card carefully. Common mistakes that do happen:

• Your name is misspelled or uses a nickname instead of your legal name
• Your Medicare Number has a typo
• The Part A effective date is wrong
• The Part B effective date is wrong or missing
• Only Part A is listed and you expected Part B to be listed too

If anything is wrong, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Lawrence SSA office. Do not start using the card for care until the corrections are made, because an incorrect Medicare Number creates billing problems down the road.

Third, Understand What Coverage You Actually Have

This is where many Lawrence seniors get confused. The card tells you when your Part A and Part B coverage begins, but it does not tell you everything about your actual Medicare situation.

If You Are Receiving Social Security Benefits

You were probably auto-enrolled in both Part A and Part B. Your card shows both effective dates. You are covered for hospital stays (Part A) and outpatient care like doctor visits (Part B) starting on those dates.

However, this card alone gives you Original Medicare only. You do not have Part D drug coverage unless you separately enrolled in a Part D plan. You do not have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. You do not have any dental, vision, or hearing coverage. You do have a Part B monthly premium ($202.90 in 2026) deducted from your Social Security check.

If You Are NOT Receiving Social Security Benefits

You had to actively apply for Medicare, which means you made choices during the application about Part A and Part B. If you chose to decline Part B (perhaps because you have employer coverage), your card will show Part A effective but not Part B. That is intentional. Keep a copy of any creditable coverage documentation from your employer so you can enroll in Part B penalty-free when you retire.

If You See Both Parts But Did Not Expect Part B Yet

Call Social Security. You have a short window to opt out of Part B if you did not want it and you have other creditable coverage. Missing this window means paying the Part B premium unnecessarily, so act quickly.

Fourth, Decide About Part D, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage

Getting your Medicare card starts the clock on several important decisions. If your Part B effective date was within the last few days or is coming up soon, here is what you need to think about.

Option 1: Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D

If you want freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare (LMH Health, KU Med, any specialist), this is often the best path. Medigap helps cover the costs Original Medicare does not, and Part D covers your prescriptions. You have a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starting the month your Part B becomes effective. During this window you can enroll in any Medigap plan without medical underwriting. This is the single most important enrollment window for Lawrence seniors on the Original Medicare path.

Option 2: Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan

Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare with a private plan that usually includes drug coverage and extras like dental or vision. You pick a plan with a provider network, and your care stays within that network. If you choose this path, you keep your red, white, and blue card but you also get a separate plan card from the insurance company. You present the plan card at appointments, not the Medicare card.

Option 3: Stay with Original Medicare Only (Risky)

You can technically do nothing and keep Original Medicare only. But you will pay the full 20% coinsurance on Part B services out of pocket with no annual limit, and you will have no drug coverage. For most Lawrence seniors this is not a sustainable plan.

You have until 3 months after your Part B effective date to make these decisions without penalties. That window is called your Initial Enrollment Period.

Fifth, Store the Card Safely

Your Medicare Number is sensitive. Treat it like a Social Security number. Do not carry the card in your wallet where it can be lost or stolen. Do not post photos of it on social media. Do not give the number out over the phone to anyone who calls you claiming to be from Medicare.

Instead, do this:

• Make a photocopy or take a photo for your own records
• Store the original card in a secure location at home (fireproof safe, locked drawer, or safe deposit box)
• Carry the photocopy in your wallet for reference
• When you go to a medical appointment, bring the original card the first time so the provider can make a copy for their file, then the photocopy works fine after that
• If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will carry the plan card for appointments, not the Medicare card

Sixth, Watch for Scams

The period right after you get your Medicare card is prime scam season. Fraudsters know new beneficiaries are confused and eager to "do it right." Here are the most common Lawrence-area scams to avoid.

The "Activate Your Card" Scam

You get a call saying your Medicare card needs to be activated and they need your Medicare Number to do it. Medicare cards do not need activation. Hang up.

The "New Plastic Medicare Card" Scam

Someone calls offering to send you a new plastic or metal Medicare card. The current Medicare card is paper, and it is the official card. There is no plastic upgrade. Hang up.

The Free Medical Equipment Scam

A caller offers free back braces, knee braces, diabetic supplies, or genetic testing kits if you give them your Medicare Number. This is a major fraud scheme. Medicare pays the scammer, and you may face coverage denials later when you legitimately need similar equipment. Hang up.

The Medicare Advantage Pressure Call

A caller says you must choose a Medicare Advantage plan within 24 hours or lose your Medicare benefits. False. You have months to decide, and no legitimate agent should ever pressure you this way. Hang up.

The Government Benefits Update Scam

A caller says your Medicare card or Social Security benefits are being updated and they need to verify your personal information. Medicare and Social Security do not verify information this way. They communicate by mail. Hang up.

If you get a scam call, you can report it to the Senior Medicare Patrol, 1-800-MEDICARE, or the Kansas Attorney General's office. Douglas County residents can also reach out to the Douglas County Senior Resource Center for help understanding what is real and what is not.

What Happens at Your First Medical Appointment

The first time you use your new Medicare card at LMH Health, KU Med, or any Lawrence provider, here is what to expect.

Check in and hand the card to the front desk. They will make a copy for your file. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, hand over the plan card instead. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare for billing purposes.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, you will give the provider BOTH your Medicare card and your Medigap card. The provider bills Medicare first, Medicare pays its share, and Medigap covers its share automatically.

If you have a Part D plan, that card only matters at the pharmacy, not at the medical office.

Your first bill may look confusing. Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) come quarterly and summarize everything Medicare processed. Read them to make sure you are not being billed for services you did not receive, because Medicare fraud often shows up here first.

Quick FAQ

How long after my 65th birthday should I expect the card?

If you are on Social Security, the card usually arrives about 3 months before your 65th birthday month. If you applied for Medicare separately, the card arrives within a few weeks after your application is approved.

My spouse turned 65 two months ago and still has not received a card. What should I do?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Lawrence SSA office. Missing cards happen. Social Security can confirm your spouse is enrolled and reissue the card.

Can I use the digital version of my Medicare card?

Yes. You can access a digital version through your MyMedicare.gov account. Many providers accept a screenshot of the digital card if you forget your physical card.

What if I lose my Medicare card?

Log into MyMedicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to request a replacement. You can also print a temporary card from your online account. A replacement physical card arrives in 30 days or less.

Do I need to show this card at the pharmacy?

No. At the pharmacy you use your Part D plan card or your Medicare Advantage plan card (if your MA plan includes drug coverage). The Medicare card itself is not used for prescriptions.