Can the Medicare office call and charge me a fee to issue a new Medicare card?
No. Medicare cards are issued free of charge. Any call asking you to pay for a new card is impersonating Medicare.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Medicare cards in the United States are issued and replaced free of charge by the Social Security Administration. You can request a replacement card online at ssa.gov, by calling the official Medicare helpline, or at a Social Security office — at no cost in any case. The same principle applies to equivalent health insurance identity documents in other countries.
Scammers posing as Medicare or equivalent agencies call seniors and claim the government is issuing new cards and that a processing or shipping fee is required. They may also use the call to collect Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, or bank details under the guise of 'verifying your account to send the new card.'
Your Medicare number is as sensitive as your bank account number. It can be used to submit fraudulent medical claims in your name, which is Medicare fraud. Never give your Medicare number to an unsolicited caller.
If you believe you need a replacement card, go to the official website directly or call the Medicare helpline number published on the official government site.
Common red flags
- Call claims a new Medicare card is being issued and a fee is required
- Asks you to verify your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details
- Creates urgency by claiming your current card will be deactivated
- Demands payment by gift card or wire transfer
- You did not initiate any contact with Medicare
- Caller ID shows a government-style number but the call was unsolicited
What to do now
- Hang up and do not provide any personal information or payment
- Request a replacement card at ssa.gov or the official Medicare helpline
- Report the call to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Monitor your Medicare Summary Notice for any claims you did not authorise
- Alert elderly family members to this specific scam script
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a genuine Medicare replacement card?
Visit ssa.gov/medicare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Replacement is free and takes about 30 days by mail. You can also create a My Social Security account to manage your benefits online.
I gave out my Medicare number — what should I do?
Report to the Senior Medicare Patrol in your state and the HHS Inspector General hotline. Review your Medicare Summary Notices for unfamiliar claims. You may be able to request a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier.