SRS Notice: You might receive a new Medicare card

How would you react if you received a new Medicare card in the mail along with a letter telling you to destroy the old one? It all looks official, but your first thought might be “This must be a scam!” That is exactly what happened to a Villages resident recently.

However, in response to a data breach, nearly one million Medicare beneficiaries are being issued new Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) and Medicare cards. Every person with Medicare has an assigned MBI, an 11-digit randomly generated identifier used to identify all Medicare beneficiaries.

Between May 27 and May 31, 2023, a data breach at Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS) potentially exposed the personal information of some Medicare beneficiaries. WPS, a contractor for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), manages Medicare Part A and B claims and related services. The breach occurred through a third-party software called MOVEit, which WPS used to transfer files. WPS informed CMS of the incident on July 8, 2024, leading CMS to initiate the reissuing of MBIs and Medicare cards for impacted beneficiaries.

If you receive a letter and new card:

1. Review the letter carefully. It will include the effective date for your new MBI.

2. Destroy your old Medicare card.

3. Inform your providers of the new Medicare number.

If you have any questions, you can visit Medicare.gov or call the toll-free number 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the TTY number 1-877-486-2048 for the latest information.

Note: The Senior Resource Services (SRS) office hours for drop-in assistance are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. The SRS office is in the Cribari Center across from the Post Office. You may also leave a message at 408-239-5253. The purpose of SRS is to provide education and general business and financial information. All assistance is free and confidential. You should ask your professional advisor about your individual situation.