Medicare to issue new cards to beneficiaries next year

FALLBROOK – Personal identity theft affects a large and growing number of seniors. People age 65 or older are increasingly the victims of this type of crime. Therefore, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services is readying a fraud prevention initiative that removes Social Security numbers from Medicare Cards.

The aim is to help combat identity theft and safeguard taxpayer dollars. Starting April 2018, CMS will begin mailing new Medicare cards that include a new Medicare number.

The mailings will be staggered throughout the year, with the completion expected by April 2019. Along with the c...