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CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia are among the first states whose residents enrolled in Medicare will receive new identification cards starting next month.
The new cards no longer will have the participant's signature, gender or Social Security number, the latter of which will be replaced by a different identification number.
Summit Health, the parent organization for Chambersburg and Waynesboro hospitals as well as physician practices in Franklin County, Pa., tested computer systems to ensure they accept the new card format.
"Summit Health will allow patients to utilize their old cards for the transition period, but we are urging all residents to be on the lookout for their new cards in May and reach out to Medicare this summer if they have not yet received their card. This will help avoid any issues once the transition period has ended," said Carolyn George, Summit Health's vice president of corporate finance.
Meritus Health spokeswoman Joelle E. Butler said the Washington County provider is prepared to accept old and new cards. She said planning for the transition started in August.
"Based on the information from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Marylanders will start receiving the new cards anytime between now and June, so we anticipate seeing patients with either their old or new card, or both cards, for some time," she said.
Fulton County (Pa.) Medical Center has told its patients there will be a 21-month transition period in which doctors and other health care providers will be able to work with the former or new Medicare numbers for patient convenience.
George said Summit Health has been talking to Medicare patients about the change in face-to-face conversations, as well as displaying signage about what is happening.
"Confusion could occur with patients who utilize a Medicare Advantage plan. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, your Medicare Advantage card is your main card used for health care services, so you should keep it and use it whenever you need care. However, you may be asked to show your new Medicare card, so you should also carry that card," she said.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is cautioning about potential scams associated with the distribution of new cards. It said the agency never will place an unexpected telephone call asking for personal information to obtain the new identification number or card.
Those who receive a call asking for personal information or money, or threatening to cancel health benefits, may call 1-800-633-4227.
Medicare participants with a valid mailing address on file should receive a card without taking action. They are encouraged to destroy the old card and start using the new one immediately.
Those with Medicare can go to www.medicare.gov/newcard to learn more about the mailings.
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