How to Obtain a Replacement Railroad Medicare Card

Published 09/15/2021

If you need to request a replacement Medicare card, but want to keep your existing Medicare number, there are two easy ways you can accomplish this task.

1. You can contact the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). You can do this online or by telephone.

To order a replacement Medicare card online, 

  • Go to www.rrb.gov
  • From the Menu, click on Benefits then select myRRB from the drop-down list
  • Select Request Documents
  • On the RRB Online Service Request page, select the second box to order a Medicare replacement card 
  • Enter your identifying information 
    • Note: The RRB Online Service Request asks for your RRB Claim Number, which is one, two or three letters in front of six or nine numerals. This number does not appear on your current Railroad Medicare card. If you do not know you RRB Claim Number, please call the RRB at 877–772–5772 and speak with a representative. 
  • Proceed through the prompts to submit your request

To order a replacement Medicare card by phone, 

  • Call the RRB at 877–772–5772
  • Choose option 1 for the automated help line
  • Choose option 3 — "Request a Replacement Medicare Card or Hear General Information about Medicare"
  • Press 1 to request a replacement Medicare card
  • Press 1 to confirm you have your Railroad Retirement Claim Number and Social Security Number available
    • Note: The RRB Request a Replacement Medicare Card option asks for your RRB Claim Number, which is one, two or three letters in front of six or nine numerals. This number does not appear on your current Railroad Medicare card. If you do not know you RRB Claim Number, please instead choose the option to speak with a representative. 
  • Follow the prompts to enter your information 

2. You can call Palmetto GBA/Railroad Medicare.

To request a replacement Medicare card from Palmetto GBA/Railroad Medicare, please call our Beneficiary Contact Center toll-free at 800–833–4455, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. For the hearing impaired, call TTY/TDD at 877–566–3572. This line is for the hearing impaired with the appropriate dial-up service and is available during the same hours CSRs are available. 

When you call Palmetto GBA/Railroad Medicare, we will ask you for the following information:

  • Your Medicare number
  • Your name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your address 
  • Your Social Security Number
  • Your telephone number

The Railroad Medicare Customer Service Representative (CSR) you speak to will verify the information you provide. 

No matter which way you use, the RRB will mail your replacement card to the address they have on file for you. You should receive the replacement card within 30 days. If you do not receive the card within 30 days, you must call the RRB at 877–772–5772. 


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