What Is a Medicare Group Number and How to Find It

When you first enroll in Medicare and get your red, white, and blue Medicare card, you may notice it doesn’t contain a group number. That’s because Original Medicare is not a group health plan. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription drug plan, or Medigap policy, you may have a group number associated with that additional coverage.

This article will explain what a Medicare group number is, when you may have one, and how to find your group number if needed.

What Is a Group Number?

In health insurance, a group number identifies a policy that covers a group of people, such as an employer-sponsored health plan. The group number is assigned by the insurance company to the organization that sponsors the group plan, like an employer.

Some key things to know about group numbers:

• Used for group insurance plans (e.g. through an employer)

• Identifies the group policy and benefits

• Shared by all members of the same group plan

• Used by providers for billing and administering benefits

So a group number is essentially a way for insurance companies to identify a particular group health insurance policy. All members of that group plan share the same group number.

Does Original Medicare Have a Group Number?

No, Original Medicare does not use group numbers. Medicare Part A and Part B are not considered group coverage.

The card you get when first signing up for Medicare is for Original Medicare. As you can see, it does not contain a group number:

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Your red, white, and blue Medicare card has your Medicare Number, which is the unique identifier they use for your coverage. Since Part A and Part B are not group plans, there is no Medicare group number on this card.

When Does Medicare Have Group Numbers?

Some types of private Medicare plans can have group numbers, including:

• Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) – Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers approved by Medicare. They can sometimes be group plans through a former employer.
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) – Standalone drug plans are offered by private companies. They may also have group plans.
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans – These additional plans offered by private insurers sometimes have employer group versions.

For any of these types of private Medicare coverage, look on your insurance card to see if there is a group number printed on it. If you have a group policy, the card will likely display the group number.

What Is a Medicare Group?

A Medicare group refers to employer-sponsored group health plans that provide Medicare benefits. One type of group Medicare Advantage plan is the Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP).

EGWPs are Medicare Advantage plans offered by employers or unions to provide coverage specifically for their Medicare-eligible retirees and employees age 65+. These group Retiree Health Plans have similar benefits to other Medicare Advantage policies. They will carry a Medicare group number.

Where to Find Your Medicare Group Number

If you have private Medicare coverage in addition to Original Medicare, here’s how to check if you have a group number and find it:

• Check your plan insurance card – Look for a “Group” or “Group Number” listing on the card, often on the front.
• Contact your insurer – Call the customer service number for your Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medigap plan and ask.
• Check benefit documents – Review the policy paperwork your plan sent when you enrolled.
• Log in to your online account – Many insurers list the group number in your online member portal.
• Ask your benefits administrator – If you have retiree or employer group coverage, check with them.

As long as you have coverage under the plan, your insurer can help you locate the Medicare group number associated with your specific policy if you can’t find it yourself.

How Providers Use Medicare Group Numbers

Health care providers may need your Medicare group number when accessing your benefits if you have private Medicare coverage through a group plan. Here are some key ways providers use Medicare group numbers:

• Verify eligibility for coverage
• Coordinate benefits appropriately
• Determine correct copays and pricing
• Submit claims and facilitate reimbursement
• Route claim paperwork properly at the provider office

So it’s primarily used on the administrative side to identify the correct Medicare group health plan and ensure claims get processed accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions and answers about Medicare group numbers:

What is the purpose of a Medicare group number?

The group number identifies the specific Medicare group health plan you belong to. It allows providers to bill and verify benefits correctly.

Who issues Medicare group numbers?

Private Medicare insurance companies assign group numbers to any group policies, including Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans.

Where do I find my group number?

Check your plan insurance card, benefit documents, online member portal, or contact your insurer directly to obtain your Medicare group number.

Do I need my group number when seeing providers?

You shouldn’t need to provide the group number yourself, but providers may ask for it to look up your policy details and benefits.

What if I lost my card with the group number on it?

Contact your insurance company for a replacement card. You can also get the number by logging into your online account or calling customer service.

The Takeaway

Original Medicare does not have group numbers on red, white, and blue Medicare cards. But private Medicare plans like Medicare Advantage and Part D plans sometimes use group numbers to identify policies, particularly group retiree plans offered by employers. Members of these plans may need to provide their Medicare group number when getting care. To find your Medicare group number, check your insurance card or call your insurer.