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If someone calls saying Medicare is replacing your card with a new plastic or chip card, hang up. Iowa's Insurance Division warned on November 4 that scammers are targeting people during Open Enrollment, and that Medicare cards don't expire and aren't being replaced with plastic or chip-enabled cards. Here's how the scam works, what Medicare will and won't do, and how to get a real replacement if you need one.
📋Quick Summary
- Medicare isn't replacing cards with plastic or chip cards, and Medicare cards don't expire.
- Callers offering a "new card" are scammers. Never share your Medicare Number with anyone who contacts you unsolicited.
- Medicare won't call you uninvited and ask for personal information.
- If your card is lost or damaged, print or order one from your Medicare account or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
- Other scams this fall threaten to cancel your benefits or offer cash cards and free equipment.
How the "New Medicare Card" Scam Works
Iowa's Insurance Division says scammers claim to call from Medicare offering a new plastic or chip-enabled card. It says Medicare cards do not expire and are not being replaced with plastic or chip-enabled cards, and that Medicare does not provide cards with "special" benefits.
Medicare says it will never call you uninvited and ask you to give personal or private information. Don't share your Medicare Number or other personal information with anyone who contacts you by phone, email or in person, unless you contacted them first and gave them permission to contact you.
Protect your Medicare Number like a credit card. Only give it to health care providers, your insurance companies or health plans (and their licensed agents or brokers), or people you trust who work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Two Other Scams to Watch For
- Threats to cancel your coverage. Iowa's Insurance Division says callers threaten to cancel your benefits unless you give your Medicare number or personal information. Medicare says if someone calls asking for your information or money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- Offers that sound too good to be true. The division also lists ads and solicitors promising cash cards, free medical equipment or dramatic coverage upgrades in exchange for your Medicare number. Our guide to the Medicare benefit card text covers one version.
- Free medical equipment you never ordered is a related trick. See our guide to equipment you never ordered.
Related Medicare Updates
How to Get a Real Replacement Card
If your card is lost or damaged, you can log into (or create) your secure Medicare account to print or order an official copy, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to order a replacement card to be sent in the mail. You start that request yourself, and Medicare will never call you uninvited to ask for personal information. Our guide to why people get a new Medicare card in the mail explains when that happens.
What to Do If You Get One of These Calls
- Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself.
- Don't click links in texts or emails. Type web addresses directly into your browser.
- Use your phone's call-screening features.
- Report suspected Medicare fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Medicare also says to contact the FTC if you think you gave your personal information to someone you shouldn't have.
- Get help from your local Senior Medicare Patrol.
- In Iowa, report fraud to the Iowa SMP at 1-800-351-4664 or through SHIIP's online fraud reporting form.
- Other tricks this fall include fake "MyChart Medicare Kit" messages. See our guide to the MyChart Medicare Kit scam.
- Our Open Enrollment scams guide covers more.
✅What This Means For You
If someone calls about a new Medicare card: Hang up. Medicare cards don't expire, and Medicare isn't switching to plastic or chip cards.
If you already gave out your Medicare number: Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it, and compare your Medicare statements with the services you actually got.
If your card is lost or damaged: Print or order a copy through your Medicare account, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you live in Iowa: You can report scams to the Iowa SMP at 1-800-351-4664.
Sources
- Iowa Insurance Division Warns of Increased Medicare Scams Targeting Iowans During Open Enrollment Period — Iowa Insurance Division, Nov 4, 2026
- Your Medicare Card — Medicare.gov, Undated, accessed Nov 6, 2026
- Reporting Medicare fraud & abuse — Medicare.gov, Undated, accessed Nov 6, 2026
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov — Federal Trade Commission, Undated, accessed Nov 6, 2026
- Senior Medicare Patrol — Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center, Undated, accessed Nov 6, 2026
- Report Fraud — Iowa SHIIP and SMP, Undated, accessed Nov 6, 2026
Explore Further
Common questions about the new Medicare card scam
- Is Medicare sending new plastic or chip Medicare cards?
- No. Iowa's Insurance Division says Medicare cards don't expire and aren't being replaced with plastic or chip-enabled cards. Calls offering one are a scam that the division warns about.
- Do Medicare cards expire?
- No. Iowa's Insurance Division says Medicare cards do not expire.
- Will Medicare call me about a new card?
- Medicare says it will never call you uninvited and ask you to give personal or private information. If you need a replacement, you request it yourself through your Medicare account or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
- How do I get a replacement Medicare card?
- If your card is lost or damaged, log into or create a secure Medicare account to print or order an official copy, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to order a replacement card to be sent in the mail.
- What should I do if I gave my Medicare number to a caller?
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it, and compare your Medicare statements with the services you actually got. Medicare also says to contact the Federal Trade Commission if you think you gave your personal information to someone you shouldn't have.
