What you need to know about Medicare cards

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 requires that all Medicare recipients get a replacement Medicare card in 2018. One of the main reasons for this is your security. The card will no longer openly reference your Social Security number or any health information.

The Social Security Administration is scheduled to START mailing out the new cards sometime in April. Knowing the government, it might not begin exactly on-time in April — be patient. It will probably take the better part of eight months to get all the new cards to Medicare recipients.

If you’re on Medicare, the good news is, you don’t have to do anything. NO ONE WILL CALL YOU! You will receive your card in the mail. If anyone calls you asking for your personal information, claiming they are from the government and need to “confirm” or “verify” your personal information — IT’S AN ATTEMPT TO SCAM YOU! Simply hang up.

Adult children of parents on Medicare should take the time to talk with your parents NOW about the coming change.

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ANOTHER SHOT — BUT IT’S WORTH IT: If you’ve ever had shingles or know someone who has, you’ll understand why this information is so important.

During a recent checkup, my doc told me, much to my surprise, that the shingles vaccine I got a few years ago was now judged to only be 50 percent effective. However, the “new and improved” vaccination is said to be more than 90 percent “effective” (I hope that means it works!). Shingles is a horrible disease, and while not fatal, I’m told, those who get it often wish they were dead. It can lead to many more serious health problems, especially for older people or those with weak immune systems.

The new shingles vaccine is called SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted). Ask your doctor. It’s specifically for those 50 or older. My understanding is that depending on your Medicare supplement policy, it’s reasonably priced. As it’s new, availability may be a short-term problem. It is available to vets in our area who get their health care from a VA medical facility. (I wonder if shingles were the sores “from head to toe” that plagued Job in Job 2:7-10?) MY ADVICE — GET THE SHOT — you DO NOT want shingles!

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QUICK IMPORTANT WARNING: Scammers are taking advantage of the issuance of new Medicare cards. The crooks are deliberately trying to confuse people by telling them they won’t get the new Medicare card without a new Social Security card. They then go on to attempt to get as much personal information as possible. REMEMBER — NO NEW SOCIAL SECURITY CARD and DON’T give personal information to anyone calling you.

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ARE YOU JOL (Just Outta Luck)?: If you want to get your annual free credit report from any of the big three credit reporting companies but don’t have a computer, is there anything you can do? One thing NOT to do is go to your local library, contact the credit-reporting bureau online, and start entering your personal information.

ANY computer that isn’t yours is probably unsecure and opens you up to identity fraud. Instead, you will have to call them. Unfortunately, the wait times are rather long.

Here are the three main credit-reporting company telephone numbers and approximate wait times:

Equifax 866-640-2273, M-F 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Pacific time. Wait time is approximately 8 minutes;

TransUnion 800-916-8800, M-Thursday 5 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 5 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pacific time. Wait time is approximately 5 minutes (at the prompt press 4, then 2);

Experian 714-830-7000, M-F 5 a.m.-2 p.m. Pacific time. Wait time is approximately 10 minutes (as soon as the message starts, press 3 or 0.)

Ask them to send the form(s) to you in the U.S. mail. It will take longer, but you will not expose your personal information.

Funny related story: A dear friend of mine was in the habit of checking his stocks in the Wall Street Journal while having his morning coffee. One morning, Tom opened the Journal and found that the usual pages of stock quotations were missing. He immediately called the WSJ and after going through a phone tree maze, talked with a young woman who he said talked too fast in a very high pitched voice (he said it was kind of like a chipmunk on crack), who informed him that the paper had decided to cease printing the stock quotations. She then informed him that they “were available online.”

Tom was not a happy camper. Not only did Tom not have a computer or internet, Tom had never owned a cellphone. It was not a happy conversation he had with the customer service rep. Tom passed away a few years ago, but he stuck to his rejection of cellphones and computers, right to the end.

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BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR: Last week, a lady called me and related a funny story: She had been “suggesting” to her husband that he should use baking soda when brushing his teeth. Reportedly, the husband had not taken her advice. After reading my column giving the same advice, he started using baking soda. She thanked me and asked what other advice I might give that would enlighten her spouse. I told her that she might be sorry if I told her. I have a friend I’ve known since grade school whose wife has allowed me to stay at their home only once in over 35 years. Problem is, I’ve known her longer than I’ve known him. I believe she sees me as a bad influence when it comes to the subject of women, guns, politics and alcohol. (She’s probably right!)

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I’VE BEEN PAID: As I was finishing my grocery shopping last week, just before leaving the store, a well-dressed man, very polite, in his mid-20s, with an obvious intellectual disability, stopped me dead in my tracks and looked at me for a moment and said, “I know who you are.” I was a little taken aback. I asked him who he thought I was. He said with a big smile, “You’re the guy who helps people not to be scammed.”

I was shocked. I shook his hand and we exchanged names. He then said “goodbye” and that he had to find his dad in the bakery.

From a selfish standpoint, I was overwhelmed. I felt truly appreciated and fully compensated for the time I spend on this column. Thanks to you my young friend, more than you know.

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REMEMBER BILL BROOKS: “He’s On Your Side”

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I have many more tips and interesting cases that I’m working on. Call me at 208-699-0506, or email me at BillBrooksAdvocate@gmail.com or fax me at 866-362-9266. (#GoGetEmBillBrooks) You can follow me at www.billbrooksconsumer advocate.com. I am available to speak about consumerism to schools, and local and civic groups. Bill Brooks is a consumer advocate and the broker and owner of Bill Brooks Real Estate in Coeur d’Alene.