New Medicare cards are being issued this month.

Washington County Hospital and Clinics is advising local residents that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are issuing the new cards to beneficiaries beginning in April. The cards are to help prevent identity theft and protect privacy. The existing cards contain Social Security Numbers in the identification numbers. The new cards will have Medicare numbers that are randomly assigned. Medicare beneficiaries should watch their mail over the next few months for notifications from Medicare about the change.