What is a Medicare card used for?

A Medicare card is used to provide proof of coverage to doctors and pharmacists who treat patients paying with Medicare. The card has the enrolled person's Medicare claim number printed on it as well as the plans he is entitled to use.

Medicare cards arrive in the mail shortly after an individual enrolls in Medicare. These cards are required by health-care providers when paying for a service using Medicare. Identity theft is a concern with Medicare cards because a member's Medicare number is often the same as the person's Social Security number. For this reason, the owner of the Medicare card should avoid letting others use it or giving the information on the card to unauthorized individuals.