Beware of Medicare Card Scam

New Medicare cards are being distributed by the federal government – but that also has opened an opportunity for scammers.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have begun mailing redesigned Medicare cards to beneficiaries in Wyoming and will continue distribution over approximately six weeks. The new card contains a unique, randomly assigned number that replaces consumers’ Social Security numbers.
CMS advises cardholders to destroy their old Medicare cards when the new one arrives. Also, Medicare users should only give card information to health care providers, insurers or people you trust to make Medicare decisions on your behalf.
Scam artists may try to get personal information (like your current Medicare Number) by contacting you about your new card. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your personal information, hang up and call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give them personal or private information to get your new Medicare Number and card. Medicare will not call you to activate your new card; your card is already active and you can start using it right away.
All replacement cards should be delivered to Wyoming residents by November 2018.