Identity theft and Medicare cards
Every article I have ever read on the subject of identity theft, says, “do not carry your social security card in your wallet.” That’s fine. But, I have never read or heard an answer to the question: What about my medicare card? That’s the first thing a hospital asks for. The only number on it is my social security number. Shouldn’t I carry it with me always?
Since Medicare cards have social security card numbers on them, check the Social Security Administration guidelines:
“Keep your card and any other document that shows your Social Security number on it in a safe place. DO NOT routinely carry your card or other documents that display your number.”
The Herald-Leader carried a New York Times story on Sunday, June 22 regarding this topic. From the story:
“Social Security officials, concerned about the risk of identity theft, are calling for immediate action to remove Social Security numbers from the Medicare cards used by millions of Americans.
“In a new report, the inspector general of Social Security, Patrick P. O’Carroll Jr., says ‘immediate action is needed.’”
Filed under: Uncategorized
My mother was a public school librarian. I earned a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Kentucky. The Herald-Leader hired me as a news assistant 25 years ago; soon after, I moved to the news research department, where I’ve been ever since. We used to clip newspapers. Now, almost all of our research is online. We've come a long way.
My advise is that Medicare clients do not carry their cards on a daily basis. Only carry your card when you have a doctor appt or planned hospital visit. If you have a medical emergency, hospitals will treat you and get the information later. Relatives or caregivers can supply the information. If you are coherent and know your Social Security number, that is all anyone needs.
John Voice