Where's my Original Medicare ID card?

When will your red, white and blue Original Medicare ID card for Medicare Part A and Part B arrive in the mail? It depends on a number of factors.

• If you are turning age 65 and receiving Social Security Insurance or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, your Medicare ID card will arrive three months before your 65th birthday. Coverage usually begins the first day of your birthday month. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, coverage usually starts the month prior.
• If you are under age 65 and have received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, your Medicare ID card will arrive during the 25th month you have been receiving disability benefits. Coverage starts at the beginning of the 25th month you have been receiving disability benefits.
• If you have Lou Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/ALS) and begin receiving your Social Security disability benefits, you will receive your Medicare ID card the first month your disability begins. Coverage also starts the first month your disability benefits begin.

• If you are turning 65 and are not receiving Social Security  or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Coverage usually begins the first day of your birthday month. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, coverage usually starts the month prior.
• If you have End-Stage Renal Disease Permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant., you will receive your Medicare ID card once you complete your Original Medicare enrollment. Coverage starts the first month your disability begins.
• If you live in Puerto Rico and receive social security benefits from Railroad Retirement Benefits, you are automatically eligible for Part A. If you also want Part B, you need to apply for it. You will receive your new Medicare ID card once you complete your Part B enrollment. Fill out this Application for Enrollment in Part B.

You can enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B online at www.ssa.gov, in-person at your local Social Security office, or you can call 1-800-772-1213; TTY 1-800-325-0778 (7 a.m. – 7 p.m., local time, Monday – Friday).

If you need to replace a lost or damaged Medicare ID card, request one online or call the phone number listed above. Your new card should arrive in the mail in about 30 days.

If you live outside the United States and its territories, contact the nearest U.S. Social Security Insurance office, U.S. Embassy or consulate, or the Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO) in the Philippines.

If you get a Medicare Advantage plan or other private insurance plan, your insurance card’s arrival date may differ if the plan provides printed cards. The best place to find information about your insurance card is to call the insurance provider directly. Call your plan's customer service number and speak to a representative.