Finally! Social Security numbers will no longer be Medicare numbers - Here's what's happening
Bottom Line: Remember how your Social Security number was never supposed to be used for identification? We're well aware of the abuses of our Social Security number by a myriad of industries and organizations but the worst offender of all was Medicare. Not only did the federal government ignore their own promise to us with Medicare, they put your Social Security number on a card that had to be used for Medicare. The ID theft and abuse has been pervasive in recent years. Finally, that's about to change.
Recent Congressional action has resulted in Medicare having to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare Cards no later April of next year. Here's what your parents or you should do in advance.
Access Medicare accounts and ensure all of your information is current - especially your primary address
Do not give any information to anyone who contacts you
Medicare will be using your primary address on record to send out the new cards. Knowing that changes are coming many fraudsters are already attempting to contact users posing as officials from Medicare. Don't fall for this! Also, once new cards are received, destroy the old ones.