New Medicare IDs do not use letters that look like numbers

Medicare is sending out new Medicare cards with new ID numbers in an effort to reduce the chance of identity theft (the old numbers were based on the Social Security number of the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s spouse). We were pleased to learn that the new ID number, which is a random combination of letters and numbers, will not include half a dozen letters that look like numbers, especially when hand-written. This should help reduce the chance of errors when people are applying for a Medicare supplement, Medicare Part D plan, or Medicare Advantage plan.

Here’s a tweet sent out by Medicare.gov on June 12, 2018:

#DYK your new Medicare Number is a unique combination of numbers and letters? The letters S, L, O, I, B, and Z are never used. For more information about the new #Medicare cards, visit https://t.co/wBRmwpZxmS #NewMedicareCard pic.twitter.com/UvR8b18B5f

— Medicare.gov (@MedicareGov) June 12, 2018