Question: I thought new Medicare cards — to help avoid fraud — were supposed to be mailed out in April. The month is almost over and I haven’t received mine. Should I be concerned?
Answer: No, as long as your address is up to date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began mailing out new cards in April on a “flow basis,” starting nationwide with people newly eligible for the federal health insurance program, which primarily serves those 65 and older. Replacement cards for existing members — like you — are to be mailed in geographic waves. Hawaii is in Wave 2, with cards to be mailed beginning in May; each mailing takes at least a month.
The card will be sent to your mailing address on file. If you need to update your address due to a recent move, call 1-800-772-1213 and follow the voice prompts. Or update it on your MySocialSecurity account, if you have one, at ssa.gov/myaccount/.
Once your new Medicare card arrives, start using it right away and destroy your old one.
To deter identity theft, CMS is removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. A Medicare number unique for each user will replace the old SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number.
Medicare warns people to be alert for scam attempts, as criminals try to exploit the national rollout of the redesigned cards. CMS emphasized that:
>> There is no fee for the new card.
>> Medicare will never call uninvited and ask for personal or private information in exchange for providing your new Medicare number and card.
>> If a caller claims to be contacting you about your new card, asks for personal information or money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share personal information, hang up and call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Q: It was traffic madness on the westbound lanes of the H-1 freeway on Saturday! According to the DOT Highway website, the closures will be on four consecutive weekends. Does that mean the lane closures will be on Mother’s Day, May 13? The public needs to be forewarned for anyone celebrating Mother’s Day anywhere past Aiea and Pearl City.
A: Mother’s Day does fall within the announced closure period, but it is possible — not yet certain — that work could wrap up by then, said a state Department of Transportation spokesman. Tim Sakahara said crews are working hard to minimize traffic disruptions. He hopes to issue a modified closure schedule for that area soon; we’ll report any change. You also may check the DOT’s notice of scheduled weekend road closures, at 808ne.ws/rdcls. It is updated on Thursdays.
Q: I’m a health professional interested in volunteering at the drug-disposal event. Can I?
A: No. Saturday’s event will be staffed by people from the sponsoring law enforcement agencies and does not seek outside volunteers, according to a spokeswoman from the state Attorney General’s office. Old prescription drugs may be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at collection sites around the state, as reported in Monday’s column. Find locations there (808ne.ws/423kline) or at ag.hawaii.gov.
Auwe
Auwe to the inconsiderate dog owners who keep putting their doggy doo bags in my garbage bin. They need to deposit them where they and their dogs come from and be good citizens. — Losing patience in Manoa
Mahalo
Mahalo to Spectrum technician Brian for resolving all my cable problems in Kailua on Monday morning. He was knowledgeable and very efficient and always courteous and considerate as he addressed each issue until he got everything working “up to spec.” He said that it was all part of the company’s service, but his sincere and positive attitude definitely raised good service to excellent service! — J.K.
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
