State insurance officials are warning Iowans to be wary of scams related to the release of new Medicare identification cards.

New cars are being mailed to those on Medicare, a process that will take this year and the first part of next year.

The old Medicare cards included members’ Social Security numbers. The new ones do not. Instead, each Medicare enrollee gets a unique number.

Even with the new cards, though, the Iowa Insurance Commission said scammers may still seek to take advantage of those in the program.

“Scammers are hoping that you won’t be informed about the change in Medicare cards ... and may try to use the opportunity to get their personal information,” Kris Gross said in an Insurance Commission news release.

To avoid being scammed:

• Once you receive your new Medicare card, destroy your old one — preferably by shredding or cutting it into small pieces.

• Do not pay for your Medicare card; it’s free.

• Never give your Social Security number, bank account number or send money to anyone who says they need payment for your new Medicare card.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT

• Only share your Medicare number with doctors or trusted people in the community who work with Medicare.

• Don’t give your Medicare number to people you don’t know or haven’t contacted first, since some scammers call pretending to be from Medicare. Medicare will not ask for personal information for your new card.

• Do not let people trick you into believing your Medicare benefits will be canceled unless you give them your new number. If someone threatens you with this, simply hang up.

If you receive a suspicious call, contact Medicare at 1 (800) MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Medicare members who have questions about the new card can call the Senior Health Insurance Information Program at (800) 351-4664 or email shiip@iid.iowa.gov.

l Comments: (319) 368-8536; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com