Why Do I Have Two Different Medicare Numbers?

If you have two different Medicare numbers, you may be puzzled about why this is the case. It’s quite common for Medicare beneficiaries to have more than one Medicare number or card during their lifetime.

There are some specific reasons why you could have two Medicare numbers. Let’s understand when and why you may be issued a second or even third Medicare number.

Overview

Some key points on having two Medicare numbers:

• It is possible to have two valid Medicare numbers active at the same time.

• The two numbers are usually based on your own Social Security Number (SSN) and your spouse’s SSN.

• You have to use the correct card with the provider for accurate billing and claims processing.

• Once eligible for Medicare under your own SSN, you will get a new card with a new Medicare number.

• Two cards prevent confusion between your own Medicare eligibility and derivative eligibility from a spouse.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:

• What is Your Medicare Number?
• Why You May Get a Second Medicare Number
• When You Are Issued a New Medicare Card
• How to Differentiate Between the Two Cards
• What to Do When You Have Two Active Medicare Cards
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s first understand what is the Medicare number on your card.

What is Your Medicare Number?

When you become eligible for Medicare and enroll in it, you are issued a red, white and blue Medicare card. This card has your Medicare number which is unique to you. This is also called your Medicare Claim Number or Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN).

Your Medicare number consists of your Social Security Number (SSN) along with some additional numbers or letters. Here is how your Medicare number is structured:

• The first 9 digits are your SSN.

• The 10th character is a letter that provides additional information about your enrollment.

• The last digit is a check digit for validity of the number.

The middle letter indicates if you qualify for Medicare based on your own work record or that of your spouse. Having two different middle letters is the reason you can have two Medicare numbers.

Let’s look at the two scenarios where you can have more than one active Medicare number.

Why You May Get a Second Medicare Number

There are two main situations when you can have two separate Medicare numbers issued to you:

1. Medicare Eligibility Under Your Spouse’s Work Record

When you turn 65, you automatically get enrolled in Medicare Part A if you have sufficient work credits from your own employment history and payroll taxes. This is called Medicare eligibility based on your own work record.

However, if you do not have enough work credits, you can qualify for Medicare on your spouse’s work record if they are at least 62 years old and enrolled in Part A.

In this case, you will be issued a Medicare card with:

• The first 9 digits matching your spouse’s SSN

• A middle letter ‘B’ denoting derivative eligibility from a spouse

• A different Medicare number than your own SSN

If you later earn Medicare eligibility based on your own work credits, you will be issued a new updated Medicare card.

So for a period of time, you can have two active Medicare cards – one based on your spouse’s record and one based on your own.

2. Enrolling in Medicare Before Social Security Benefits

You become eligible for Medicare at age 65 but can take Social Security retirement benefits only after your full retirement age between 66-67 years depending on your birth year.

During this gap period, if you enroll in Medicare at 65, you will get a Medicare card with:

• The first 9 digits being your SSN

• A middle letter ‘T’ indicating eligibility for Medicare but not Social Security

• A different number than your eventual permanent Medicare card

Once you reach full retirement age and claim Social Security benefits, Medicare will issue you a new permanent card with your own SSN and the correct middle letter.

So in this case too, you can have two valid Medicare numbers for some time.

Let’s understand when you get issued a new Medicare card in detail.

When You Are Issued a New Medicare Card

In case you qualify for Medicare on your own work record later, you will be sent a new card with your own SSN as the base instead of your spouse’s.

Here are the common situations when Medicare will issue you a new updated Medicare number and card:

• When you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part A based on your own employment history rather than your spouse’s.

• When your Initial Enrollment Period ends after turning 65 and you sign up for Medicare on your work record.

• When you reach full retirement age to claim Social Security benefits. This is usually between 66-67 years depending on your birth year.

• If you had qualified earlier based on your spouse’s Medicare eligibility.

• Once you inform Social Security of a name change due to marriage, divorce etc.

• In case your existing Medicare card is damaged or lost.

• If you report your Medicare card compromised in any Medicare scam or identity theft.

In essence, becoming independently eligible for Medicare based on your own work credits almost always leads to issuance of a new Medicare number and card.

How to Differentiate Between the Two Cards

Since you may have two active Medicare cards for a temporary period, it is crucial to know how to identify the correct card. Here are some tips to distinguish between the two cards:

• Note if the card has your own SSN or your spouse’s SSN: This is the easiest way to identify whose eligibility the card represents.

• See the middle letter coding: As explained before, ‘B’ denotes eligibility through a spouse while ‘T’ is for enrolling in Medicare before Social Security.

• Match with your Social Security statements: Your Social Security documents will clearly mention which SSN is the basis for your Medicare enrollment.

• The card with your own SSN is the permanent one while the card with your spouse’s SSN is temporary.

• The issue and expiry dates will also indicate which card is the newest one.

Essentially, match the Medicare number on your card with your Social Security statements to see if it is based on your own work history or derived from your spouse’s eligibility.

What to Do When You Have Two Active Medicare Cards

If you have two valid Medicare cards operational at the same time, here is what you need to do:

• Only use the most recent Medicare card with your own SSN with providers for claims processing.

• Keep your previous Medicare card as secondary proof of insurance coverage.

• Inform Social Security that you now have Medicare eligibility under your own SSN so they can update their records.

• Carry both cards when visiting new healthcare providers and confirm with them which one to use.

• If using a Medicare Advantage Plan, provide them the details of your new permanent Medicare card for enrollment.

• Submit copies of both cards while buying Medigap or Medicare Part D plans.

• Destroy your old Medicare card with your spouse’s SSN once your new card is active.

• Report your new Medicare number to all of your healthcare providers.

The key is to use your newest Medicare card with your own SSN with providers to avoid any billing issues or claims denials after becoming independently eligible.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s look at some commonly asked questions about having two different Medicare numbers:

Can I have two Medicare cards with different numbers?

Yes, it is possible for Medicare beneficiaries to have two cards with different Medicare numbers active at the same time temporarily. This happens when you become eligible under your own work record after initial derivative eligibility through your spouse.

Do I have to pay for Part B twice if I have two Medicare numbers?

No, you only need to pay the Part B premium once. Having two Medicare cards does not mean enrolling in Part B separately or paying double premiums.

How do I report my new Medicare number to healthcare providers?

You can report your new Medicare number by phone, email or during your next appointment. Show both your cards and ask providers to update to your latest Medicare card.

What happens if I use the old Medicare card?

Using your old Medicare card can lead to denial of your claims since it is no longer valid. Make sure to give providers your new Medicare card information to prevent billing issues.

Does my Medigap plan cover both Medicare numbers?

Yes, your Medigap will cover you as long as you have valid Medicare Part A and Part B. Inform your Medigap provider about your new Medicare card once eligible under your own work record.

Do I need to reapply for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage?

No, your Medicare Part D plan will automatically transfer over to your new Medicare number as long as you report the change.

In Conclusion

It is quite common for Medicare beneficiaries to get a new Medicare number whenever their eligibility status changes. This could lead to having two active Medicare cards for a certain period.

The key is being aware of when and why you may be issued a second Medicare number to avoid confusion. Make sure to use the most recent Medicare card based on your own SSN with providers for