Collin County Living Well Magazine March/April 2018 | Page 38

Your new Medicare Card
T
By Tucker Thompson
he new Medicare cards will not display a
cardholder’s social security number.
The removal of your social security number from
your Health Insurance Claim Number will help curb
the risk of your medical identity theft and fraud. These new
Medicare cards will be issued beginning April 2018 and
will continue through April 2019.
The new numbers are unique and randomly assigned and
will be referred to as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier
Number (MBI).
When your new Medicare card (MBI) card arrives, destroy
your current card with your social security number. Then,
give your new card to your health care provider on your
next visit. You do not have to notify your agent or health
insurance company.
Other changes to Medicare in 2018 that have been
announced are:
• Effective January 1st, the inpatient Part A deductible is $1340.
• Skilled Nursing or Rehabilitation will start after you have been
in a hospital for 3 days. The first 20 days will not cost you any-
thing. Then, the cost will be $167.50 per day for the next 80
days maximum stay.
• The Medicare medical insurance Part B Deductible will be $187,
which is the same as in 2017.
Tucker Thompson has worked in the insurance field for over 24 years in Life Insurance, Long-Term Care,
Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans.
New
Medicare choices in 2018
could mean better coverage for less money!
You can apply to change a Medicare supplement policy
anytime during the year!
Senior Life Division
Medicare Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
Long-Term Care Policies
Life Insurance
B enchmark Financial Services is a local company with a Senior Life Division dedicated
to helping seniors review & find Medicare healthcare and prescription plans that best
fit each individual’s needs. With a strong commitment to offer independent,
unbiased advice, we are licensed with over 30 national companies and are not
“employed” by any of these companies whose plans we might recommend.
[phone]
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COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MARCH/APRIL 2018
Your Local Agent:
Tucker Thompson