The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started mailing new Medicare cards to people with Medicare who live in Wave 6 states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. This will continue through mid-October.

People on Medicare can access Medicare.gov/NewCard for information about the mailings and can access a “New Card, Same Guard” fraud ad posted on YouTube and accessible from the Your Medicare Card and Medicare fraud pages (Related Resources à Guard your Medicare card).

It is important to know you do not have to do anything to get your new Medicare card. There is no charge for new cards and Medicare will never ask you to give out personal or private information to get your new Medicare number and card.

Once you get your new card, destroy your old card and start using your new card right away. Though Medicare is removing Social Security Numbers from Medicare cards, people will continue to try and steal your new Medicare number. Always read your Medicare Summary Notice to make sure no one is billing for services in your name.

If you receive a suspicious call with someone trying to get personal information, like your current Medicare Number, hang up and call your local Montana SMP at 1-800-551-3191.