Medicare Cards in 2025 (Account Details)

Medicare cards give you access to all the benefits of the Medicare program, including coverage for most health care necessities.

Most people enrolled in Medicare health insurance will get the basic red, white, and blue card, but depending on your coverage, you might see a variety of other cards.

Read through our expert guide to Medicare for everything there is to know about the Medicare program. We have licensed insurance agents ready to answer your Medicare card questions. Call (855) 634-0435 now for help.

Medicare Cards Explained

A Medicare card is your official proof of enrollment in the federal Medicare program, which provides health coverage for people aged 65 and older and certain individuals with disabilities.

You’ll need your Medicare card whenever you visit a doctor, hospital, or pharmacy that accepts Medicare.

This card shows your Medicare number and the parts of Medicare you’re enrolled in. This can include Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance), and possibly Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage).

You’ll use your card any time you access your Medicare health benefits. Our guide to Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D can help you pick out a plan.

Medicare Cards: Key Details

Your Medicare card gives you access to your healthcare, so it’s important to keep it in a safe location.

From identity theft to fraudulent healthcare charges, you don’t want your Medicare card to fall into the wrong hands.

Medicare Cards vs. Other Insurance Cards

Your Medicare card proves you have federal health coverage for things like Medicare Part A and B and prescription coverage.

Other insurance cards, like those from employer plans, private insurers, or Medicaid, serve different purposes.

Medicare Cards vs. Other Insurance Cards

For instance, if you have both Medicare and employer coverage, you may need to show both cards when receiving care.

Medicare cards are unique because they use a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), a randomly generated number designed to protect your identity, unlike older cards that displayed Social Security numbers.

The Different Types of Medicare Cards

When most people picture their Medicare card, they think of the main type, but there are actually several types of Medicare cards you could have.

The type of card that you get depends on which types of Medicare plans you have access to.

Depending on your situation, you may get one card or multiple cards for your Medicare coverage.

To get an idea of how many cards you might get, check out the most popular types of Medicare below:

• Original Medicare Card: Issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this red, white, and blue card shows your name, Medicare number, and the start dates for Part A and/or Part B coverage.
• Medicare Advantage Card (Part C): If you join a Medicare Advantage plan offered by a private insurer, you’ll receive a separate card from that company. You’ll use it instead of your Original Medicare card for medical services.
• Medicare Part D Card: If you have a stand-alone prescription drug plan, your Part D insurer will issue a prescription drug card for use at participating pharmacies.
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Card: If you purchase a Medigap policy to cover costs not paid by Original Medicare, your private insurer will provide a Medigap card for that plan as well.

If you only sign up for Original Medicare, you’ll only get the red, white, and blue card. You’ll receive additional cards if you sign up for more coverage.

For example, if you sign up for Medicare supplemental insurance, you’ll have an additional card. You’ll need both for your health care.

How to Get a Medicare Card

Getting your Medicare card depends on how and when you enroll in Medicare (Learn More: Who is eligible for Medicare?).

If you’re already receiving Social Security (SS) or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you don’t need to do anything — your enrollment in Medicare Part A and Part B is automatic.

For people who should be receiving Social Security benefits but aren’t, make sure to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) for help.

If you’re not yet receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll need to apply for Medicare manually. There are several ways to apply for your Medicare card.

How to Get (or Replace) a Medicare Card

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail in about 30 days.

If your coverage is set to begin later, your card will show the effective start dates for Part A and Part B coverage.

For people under 65 who qualify due to a disability or certain health conditions — such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) — the process may differ slightly.

In most cases, your card will arrive automatically after meeting the eligibility period, but if it doesn’t, you can contact the Social Security Administration to confirm your enrollment and request your card.

How to Use Your Medicare Card

Your Medicare card is your key to accessing healthcare services under the Medicare program. You’ll need to present it whenever you receive medical care, undergo lab work, or fill prescriptions covered by your plan.

The information on the card — your name, Medicare number, and the effective dates for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B — allows doctors, hospitals, and other providers to verify your coverage and bill Medicare correctly.

If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, you’ll show your red, white, and blue card whenever you visit:

• A doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare
• A hospital or clinic that participates in Medicare
• A lab or imaging center for tests or X-rays
• A supplier for medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or oxygen

If you also have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you’ll typically use your Advantage plan card instead of your Original Medicare card.

The same goes for Medicare Part D (prescription drug plans) and Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies—each plan will issue its own card.

It’s important to protect your Medicare card just like you would a credit card or Social Security card. Keep it in a secure but accessible place.

Only share your Medicare number with trusted medical professionals or official Medicare representatives. Scammers sometimes try to steal Medicare numbers for fraudulent billing.

How to Replace a Medicare Card

Even the most careful among us occasionally loses things. When that thing is your Medicare card, chances are that you’ll be stressed. Fortunately, getting a new Medicare card isn’t difficult, no matter how you lost it.

If you find yourself wondering how to order a Medicare card after your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can easily request a replacement.

The fastest way is to log in to your Medicare.gov account or your Social Security account and order new Medicare cards online.

There are also many Medicare scams to avoid, which can compromise your account. If this happens, you’ll need to contact a Medicare representative for help.

How to Replace a Medicare Card

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit your local Social Security office.

Medicare card replacement typically takes about 30 days, but you can print a temporary card from your online Medicare account to use right away.

Get Medicare Card Help Today

Understanding things like when Medicare cards expire and which ones you need to bring with you may seem confusing at first, but the program is fairly straightforward.

Most Medicare recipients only need the red, white, and blue Medicare card to access their Medicare card benefits.

Whether you want help with how to sign up for Medicare, need to order new cards, or want to expand your healthcare coverage with a Medicare Advantage plan, getting Medicare help doesn’t have to be a chore.

To speak with a licensed insurance agent about your Medicare needs, call (855) 634-0435 for answers.