Medicare Card

A better alternative to always carrying your Medicare card in your wallet or when traveling is to make a photocopy of your Medicare card, and then cut or black out the last four digits of your Social Security number.  The photocopy shows that you are a Medicare patient but protects you from identity theft should your wallet be lost or stolen.  Even without the card you should be able to get emergency medical treatment.  You can carry the original on days when you visit a doctor if that gives you any extra added comfort.   You can orally give the medical care provider the last four digits of your Social Security number when you are being provided services.   I and my wife have personally used this method for many years without any problems.  This is a very good deterrent to identity theft of your Social Security number.