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    Government & Civic
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    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Replace a Lost Medicare Card

    Lost your Medicare card? You can request a free replacement online, by phone, or through the mail — usually delivered within 30 days.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Government & Civic
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    medicare
    medicare card
    replace medicare card
    lost medicare card
    CMS

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Request online at Medicare.gov (fastest)
    2. 2.Call 1-800-MEDICARE
    3. 3.Contact your local Social Security office
    4. 4.Update your address if it's changed
    5. 5.Protect your Medicare number
    1

    Request online at Medicare.gov (fastest)

    ~24s
    Go to medicare.gov and sign into (or create) your Medicare account. Once logged in, look for "My Account" and then "Personal Information" or a "Print/Ship New Card" option. You can print a temporary card right away and request a permanent card to be mailed within 30 days. This is the fastest method.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: You can print a temporary card from medicare.gov right away to use while you wait for your permanent card.

    2

    Call 1-800-MEDICARE

    ~15s
    Call 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE). This is the official Medicare helpline, open 24/7. A representative can request a replacement card be mailed to your address on file. The new card usually arrives within 30 days.
    3

    Contact your local Social Security office

    ~15s
    You can also visit or call your local Social Security office to request a replacement. Find your nearest office at socialsecurity.gov/locator or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Social Security manages Medicare enrollment and can issue replacement cards.
    4

    Update your address if it's changed

    ~16s
    Your replacement card will be mailed to the address Medicare has on file. If you've moved recently, update your address first by signing into your Medicare or Social Security account online, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. An outdated address means the card goes to the wrong place.
    5

    Protect your Medicare number

    ~24s
    Your Medicare number is as sensitive as your Social Security number. Only give it to your doctor, hospital, or other healthcare providers. Medicare will never call and ask for your Medicare number over the phone. If someone calls asking for your Medicare number, hang up — it's a scam.

    Warning

    Medicare does not call asking for your Medicare card number, bank information, or Social Security number. Any such call is a scam — hang up right away.

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    Your Medicare card shows your Medicare number (a unique 11-character combination of letters and numbers, different from your Social Security number since 2018) and shows which parts of Medicare you're enrolled in. You'll need it when visiting doctors, hospitals, labs, or picking up prescriptions.

    If you've lost your Medicare card, there's no need to worry — replacement is free and straightforward. Medicare doesn't charge for replacement cards. Be cautious of any company that offers to get you a new Medicare card for a fee — that's a scam.

    You can request a replacement online at Medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or by contacting your local Social Security office.

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    medicare
    medicare card
    replace medicare card
    lost medicare card
    CMS

    Official Resources

    USA.gov — Government ServicesSSA — Social SecurityBenefits.govIRS Free File

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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