How to apply for a new Medicare card

So, my employer filed the paperwork for my new health insurance card back in November 2012. It’s been six months now, and still nothing shows up in the mail.
Since I’m pregnant, I’m constantly needing referrals and medical paperwork. Here’s the headache: all my recent test results are under my maiden name, which doesn't match my current ID. I’ve already heard rumors that hospitals, like at the maternity ward, might reject a blood type report just because the names don't align perfectly. If that happens, I'll be stuck running around various government offices trying to get everything notarized and verified.

What’s the move here? Who should I call to actually get some answers? And honestly, how long did you all have to wait for your new cards? My patience is wearing thin...

Thanks for any help!

Linda Harris5 said:So, my employer filed the paperwork for my new health insurance card back in November 2012. It’s been six months now, and still nothing shows up in the mail.
Since I’m pregnant, I’m constantly needing referrals and medical paperwork. Here’s the headache: all my recent test results are under my maiden name, which doesn't match my current ID. I’ve already heard rumors that hospitals, like at the maternity ward, might reject a blood type report just because the names don't align perfectly. If that happens, I'll be stuck running around various government offices trying to get everything notarized and verified.

What’s the move here? Who should I call to actually get some answers? And honestly, how long did you all have to wait for your new cards? My patience is wearing thin...

Thanks for any help!

Just head down to the office where they submitted the request. Honestly, that copy of the confirmation should work just fine as an ID, so I don't see why you'd be having issues. Under the current system, unless you actually changed your name, your card stays the same—Medicare just updates the employer info on their end.

Angela Wright said:Just head down to the office where they submitted the request. Honestly, that copy of the confirmation should work just fine as an ID, so I don't see why you'd be having issues. Under the current system, unless you actually changed your name, your card stays the same—Medicare just updates the employer info on their end.

Yeah, I actually did change my last name.
When I visit my doctor, I still show them my old ID with the old name, and everything works fine—they pull up my records, write prescriptions, the whole bit. The nurse mentioned they’ll update the name once the new card arrives. 🙄
The only catch is that from now on, I'll have to use this paper instead of the old card, so they can look up the info under my current name and make sure everything matches up based on the document.

They send out ID cards in those cheap little blue envelopes—honestly, don't even bother, they get lost all the time. I actually had to file a whole new request recently because they messed up my kid's name on the first one, and then the card just vanished into thin air for like two or three months. Usually, it takes them about a month, but not this time.
The lady at the Medicare office gave me a number to call to check on the status. When I called, they told me the card was supposedly mailed out ages ago, so this really nice guy promised he’d track down where it got stuck and just send a replacement. Anyway, the new one showed up in about ten days.

I had my blood type checked back when I was just a teenager, and my doctor made sure to tell me that info stays the same for life. I've honestly never run into any issues just because of a last name change on some paperwork🤷
Just Copy your marriage certificate and bring that along with the certification itself☕

Just bring the paperwork and the cash, kid; let your husband worry about chasing down the credit card. Don't go stressing yourself out with extra nonsense right now.

Thanks, I'll give them a call to figure out where things went sideways.
Until then, I guess I'll just carry this paperwork around with me...

@placidhound10 - They told us at the prenatal class that they test your blood type twice during pregnancy because of the Rh factor, and the last name on the lab results has to match your ID perfectly. If it doesn't, you have to head over to the local clinic to get it notarized, otherwise the hospital will give you a hard time at delivery. :-/

Linda Harris5 said:Thanks, I'll give them a call to figure out where things went sideways.
Until then, I guess I'll just carry this paperwork around with me...

@placidhound10 - They told us at the prenatal class that they test your blood type twice during pregnancy because of the Rh factor, and the last name on the lab results has to match your ID perfectly. If it doesn't, you have to head over to the local clinic to get it notarized, otherwise the hospital will give you a hard time at delivery. :-/

See, I didn't even bother getting it drawn🤷
Back when I had to go into the ER at Peterson's about 10 years ago, they made that confirmation for my blood type and Rh factor right there.
When I got pregnant for the first time 5 years later, my OB asked if I knew my blood type, so I just showed her that paper, and then at Peterson's I only ever had blood work done for those other ailments
(like hepatitis....) The second time around was the exact same deal🤷,

Post-call summary—The ID card was mailed out, but obviously got lost in the mail since they don't bother with certified shipping. They’re insisting it was sent, yet my employer hasn't seen a thing. Just my luck. 🙄 Now I have to wait another month for a replacement...

Hi there!

I'm about to be moving to a new place for my first real job, so I was wondering if I need to update my health insurance card and my supplemental coverage info since I'll be paying for it all myself now?!

Thanks in advance! 🙂

You’re required to report your new address to Medicare using the proper forms, but don't expect them to issue you a new ID card.

Edward Hall3 said:You’re required to report your new address to Medicare using the proper forms, but don't expect them to issue you a new ID card.

Thanks! 🙂

Linda Harris5 said:Post-call summary—The ID card was mailed out, but obviously got lost in the mail since they don't bother with certified shipping. They’re insisting it was sent, yet my employer hasn't seen a thing. Just my luck. 🙄 Now I have to wait another month for a replacement...

I'm in the same boat. Started working back in November 2012 and still haven't seen my ID. Honestly, I hadn't even thought about it until I ended up in the ER last week. I'll head over there this week to see what the deal is. 🤷

If you’re still holding onto an old ID card, they aren't going to issue you a new one. The bottom line? Everything hinges on whether your updated insurance status is officially logged in the Medicare system.