Here's the short answer. You can print an official replacement Medicare card yourself, right now, by logging in to (or creating) your secure account at Medicare.gov. If you'd rather have one mailed to you, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) and ask for a replacement card. It's free either way — replacing a Medicare card never has a fee.
Replace it online (fastest)
- Go to your secure Medicare account. Log in, or create a free account, at Medicare.gov.
- Print or order your card from the account. You can print an official copy immediately, or request a mailed one from the same page.
- In the meantime, use your Medicare Number. Your account shows your Medicare Number even before a new physical card arrives, and providers can usually work from the number alone.
Replace it by phone
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE. That's 1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048. Ask for a replacement card to be mailed to you.
- Have your Railroad Retirement Board number instead? Call the RRB. If you get Railroad Retirement Board benefits, call 1-877-772-5772 (TTY 1-312-751-4701) for a replacement instead of 1-800-MEDICARE.
If the card was stolen, not just lost
A stolen card raises a second question: could someone else use your Medicare Number? Take these extra steps:
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE if you suspect misuse. If you think someone else is using your Medicare Number, report it at 1-800-633-4227 right away.
- Watch your Medicare Summary Notices. These statements list the services billed to your Medicare Number. Check them for anything you didn't actually receive.
- Contact the FTC for identity theft. If you believe your personal information was used for identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission.
Scammers sometimes call pretending to be Medicare and ask you to "verify" your Medicare Number or pay a fee for a new card. Medicare never charges for a replacement card and never calls asking you to pay or to give your number to get one. See Medicare Scams: How to Spot and Report Them for more warning signs.
What your card is used for
Your red, white, and blue Medicare card shows your Medicare Number and which parts of Medicare you have (Part A, Part B, or both). Providers use it to bill Medicare for your care, so it's worth carrying or at least knowing the number by heart. If you also have a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medigap policy, or a Part D drug plan, keep those separate insurance cards too — replacing your Medicare card doesn't replace those.
Common questions
Is there a fee to replace a Medicare card?
No. Printing, ordering, or mailing a replacement Medicare card is free. Anyone who asks you to pay for a new card is running a scam.
What's the fastest way to get a replacement?
Log in to your secure Medicare account and print an official copy immediately, or view your Medicare Number there without waiting for anything in the mail.
My card was stolen, not just lost. What else should I do?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE right away to flag it and watch your Medicare Summary Notices for services you didn't get. If you believe your Medicare Number is being misused, also contact the Federal Trade Commission.
Do I need my card to get care?
You should carry it or know your Medicare Number, since providers use it to bill Medicare. But losing the physical card doesn't cancel your coverage — your enrollment isn't affected.
I get Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Is the process different?
Yes. Call the RRB directly at 1-877-772-5772 (TTY 1-312-751-4701) instead of 1-800-MEDICARE.
Official sources
- Medicare.gov: Your Medicare card (replacement steps, phone numbers)
- Medicare.gov: Create or log in to your secure Medicare account