New cards are in the mail

New(right) and old Medicare cards. Note the new numbering
system (I have changed it, but the format is what is on your
new card). The old card was your Social plus an "A".

Someone who works in the Somerville Social Security office told me a number of months ago that new Medicare cards were soon to be issued with a new numbering system.

Well, mine arrived in the mail a couple of days ago.

As you can see from the image above, it is no longer linked to your Social Security number but is a new -- and longer -- mix of numbers and letters. (It used to be your Social Security number with the addition of an "A" at the end.)

It was explained to me that Social Security numbers have become so ubiquitous as identity markers as to provide no real security for Medicare recipients.

The new card has a different look -- besides the new numbering system.

The postcard included advises the recipient to 'securely destroy' the old card, replace it with the new and advise all your doctors and other services of the change the next time you visit.

Though there is talk of change, Social Security cards are not being changed at this time and will continue to be issued in the XXX-XX-XXXX format.

With luck, those of you who are not old enough to concern yourselves with this matter will have a single-payer plan by the time you reach 62.

We can only hope.

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 -- Dan Damon [ follow ]

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