Your Medicare Card

Your Medicare card shows your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), which is a unique combination of letters and numbers that replaced the old Social Security-based number. This change helps protect your identity from fraud and misuse.

 

Your card will also indicate whether you are enrolled in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance), Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), or both, along with the date your coverage began. Keep your card in a safe place and treat your Medicare number like a credit card number.​​​​

 

​Medicare coverage in several parts.

Part A — Hospital Insurance​

Part B — Medical Insurance​

Part C — Medicare Advantage​

Part D — Prescription Drug Coverage

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Medicare Part A – Hospital Insurance

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Part A helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice services, and limited home health care. Many people qualify for Part A without paying a monthly premium if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough.

 

Medicare Part B – Medical Insurance

 

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab tests, medical equipment, and some home health services. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B coverage.
 

 

Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

 

Part D helps cover the cost of prescription medications. These plans are offered by private insurance companies and help reduce the cost of many commonly prescribed drugs.

 

Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage

 

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide all the benefits of Parts A and B and often include additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and sometimes prescription drug coverage.