How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Medicaid Card

Updated September 2026

If you've lost your Medicaid card or had it stolen, you're not without coverage. Losing the card doesn't affect your eligibility, and in most cases a provider can verify you're covered without it. Here's how to get a replacement, what to do if you need care before it arrives, and contact information for every state Medicaid agency.

Usually free

To request a replacement in most states

No card needed

To get care — providers can verify coverage electronically

Up to 2 cards

If you're in a managed care plan, state card plus plan card

State and DC Medicaid agency contacts below

You don't need the physical card to get care

Your Medicaid card is proof of enrollment — it isn't the enrollment itself. Providers verify your Medicaid coverage electronically using your Medicaid ID number or your name and date of birth, not the physical card. As Texas HHS puts it plainly in its own member guidance: "The doctor's staff can use your Medicaid number to see which Medicaid program you're in." Your doctor's office should check your coverage either way, card or no card.

If you don't have your Medicaid ID number handy, your provider's front desk or your state's member services line can usually look it up using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

How to request a replacement card

1

Check for a digital or printable version first

Most states let you view, download, or print your Medicaid card through their online member portal or a mobile app — often instantly, with no waiting on a mailed card.
2

Call your state's Medicaid member services line

The number is usually on any prior mail from your state Medicaid agency, or listed on your state's official Medicaid website (see the directory below).
3

Confirm your mailing address before requesting

A mailed replacement only helps if it's going to your current address — update it first if you've moved.
4

If you're in a managed care plan, contact your plan too

Your state card and your health plan's member ID card are usually replaced through two different phone numbers — see below.

If you're in a managed care plan, you may have two cards to track down

Most Medicaid enrollees today are in a managed care organization (MCO) — a private health plan the state contracts with to coordinate your care. Your MCO typically issues its own separate member ID card, in addition to the state Medicaid card. If you're not sure which one you're missing, check both: the state card is replaced through your state Medicaid agency, while the plan card is replaced by calling the member services number on your health plan's website or any mail you've received from them.

What this looks like in practice

The exact process varies by state, but Texas is a useful concrete example. Enrollees can order a replacement Your Texas Benefits Medicaid card by phone (a toll-free number with a menu option for card requests) or through the state's online client portal, where the card can also be viewed and printed on demand. The state only mails a new physical card when one is actually requested — it doesn't reissue one automatically each month, and the same card keeps working even if you switch medical or dental plans.

If you need care before your replacement arrives

Tell the front desk you have Medicaid and give your name, date of birth, and Medicaid ID number if you know it — that's usually enough for them to verify coverage without the physical card
Call your state's member services line — many can provide a temporary verification number or fax proof of eligibility directly to a provider's office
In a true emergency, hospital emergency rooms are required to treat you regardless of whether you can produce proof of coverage on the spot

If someone else's Medicaid card arrives in your mail

Don't use it, and don't throw it away. Contact your state Medicaid agency to report it — many states ask you to write "Return to Sender" on the envelope and mail it back. Using a card that isn't yours to get care is Medicaid fraud, even if the mistake wasn't yours to begin with.

State Medicaid agency contacts

Every state and DC runs its own Medicaid program under its own name, with its own member services line and online portal. Start with your state's official agency below for the fastest path to a replacement.

State	Official Medicaid agency
Alabama	Alabama Medicaid Agency
Alaska	Alaska Medicaid
Arizona	AHCCCS
Arkansas	Arkansas Works
California	Medi-Cal
Colorado	Health First Colorado
Connecticut	HUSKY Health
Delaware	Delaware Medicaid
District of Columbia	DC Medicaid
Florida	Florida Medicaid
Georgia	Georgia Medicaid
Hawaii	Med-QUEST
Idaho	Idaho Medicaid
Illinois	Illinois Medicaid
Indiana	Indiana Medicaid
Iowa	Iowa Medicaid
Kansas	KanCare
Kentucky	Kentucky Medicaid
Louisiana	Louisiana Medicaid
Maine	MaineCare
Maryland	Maryland Medicaid
Massachusetts	MassHealth
Michigan	Michigan Medicaid
Minnesota	Minnesota Medical Assistance
Mississippi	Mississippi Medicaid
Missouri	MO HealthNet
Montana	Montana Medicaid
Nebraska	Nebraska Medicaid
Nevada	Nevada Medicaid
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Medicaid
New Jersey	NJ FamilyCare
New Mexico	New Mexico Medicaid
New York	New York Medicaid
North Carolina	NC Medicaid
North Dakota	North Dakota Medicaid
Ohio	Ohio Medicaid
Oklahoma	SoonerCare
Oregon	Oregon Health Plan
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Medicaid
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Medicaid
South Carolina	Healthy Connections
South Dakota	South Dakota Medicaid
Tennessee	TennCare
Texas	Texas Medicaid
Utah	Utah Medicaid
Vermont	Green Mountain Care
Virginia	Virginia Medicaid
Washington	Apple Health
West Virginia	West Virginia Medicaid
Wisconsin	ForwardHealth
Wyoming	Wyoming Medicaid

Alabama

Official Medicaid agency: Alabama Medicaid Agency

Alaska

Official Medicaid agency: Alaska Medicaid

Arizona

Official Medicaid agency: AHCCCS

Arkansas

Official Medicaid agency: Arkansas Works

California

Official Medicaid agency: Medi-Cal

Colorado

Official Medicaid agency: Health First Colorado

Connecticut

Official Medicaid agency: HUSKY Health

Delaware

Official Medicaid agency: Delaware Medicaid

District of Columbia

Official Medicaid agency: DC Medicaid

Florida

Official Medicaid agency: Florida Medicaid

Georgia

Official Medicaid agency: Georgia Medicaid

Hawaii

Official Medicaid agency: Med-QUEST

Idaho

Official Medicaid agency: Idaho Medicaid

Illinois

Official Medicaid agency: Illinois Medicaid

Indiana

Official Medicaid agency: Indiana Medicaid

Iowa

Official Medicaid agency: Iowa Medicaid

Kansas

Official Medicaid agency: KanCare

Kentucky

Official Medicaid agency: Kentucky Medicaid

Louisiana

Official Medicaid agency: Louisiana Medicaid

Maine

Official Medicaid agency: MaineCare

Maryland

Official Medicaid agency: Maryland Medicaid

Massachusetts

Official Medicaid agency: MassHealth

Michigan

Official Medicaid agency: Michigan Medicaid

Minnesota

Official Medicaid agency: Minnesota Medical Assistance

Mississippi

Official Medicaid agency: Mississippi Medicaid

Missouri

Official Medicaid agency: MO HealthNet

Montana

Official Medicaid agency: Montana Medicaid

Nebraska

Official Medicaid agency: Nebraska Medicaid

Nevada

Official Medicaid agency: Nevada Medicaid

New Hampshire

Official Medicaid agency: New Hampshire Medicaid

New Jersey

Official Medicaid agency: NJ FamilyCare

New Mexico

Official Medicaid agency: New Mexico Medicaid

New York

Official Medicaid agency: New York Medicaid

North Carolina

Official Medicaid agency: NC Medicaid

North Dakota

Official Medicaid agency: North Dakota Medicaid

Ohio

Official Medicaid agency: Ohio Medicaid

Oklahoma

Official Medicaid agency: SoonerCare

Oregon

Official Medicaid agency: Oregon Health Plan

Pennsylvania

Official Medicaid agency: Pennsylvania Medicaid

Rhode Island

Official Medicaid agency: Rhode Island Medicaid

South Carolina

Official Medicaid agency: Healthy Connections

South Dakota

Official Medicaid agency: South Dakota Medicaid

Tennessee

Official Medicaid agency: TennCare

Texas

Official Medicaid agency: Texas Medicaid

Utah

Official Medicaid agency: Utah Medicaid

Vermont

Official Medicaid agency: Green Mountain Care

Virginia

Official Medicaid agency: Virginia Medicaid

Washington

Official Medicaid agency: Apple Health

West Virginia

Official Medicaid agency: West Virginia Medicaid

Wisconsin

Official Medicaid agency: ForwardHealth

Wyoming

Official Medicaid agency: Wyoming Medicaid

Agency contact details and program names occasionally change — if a link above doesn't work, search "[your state] Medicaid" to find the current official site.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a fee to replace a lost Medicaid card?

In most states, replacement is free. A small number of states may charge a nominal fee for repeated requests within a short period — check with your state Medicaid agency to be sure.

Will losing my card affect my coverage or eligibility?

No. The card is proof of enrollment, not the enrollment itself. Losing it has no effect on your eligibility or benefits — you're still covered.

How long does a replacement take?

A digital or printable version through an online portal is often available instantly. A mailed physical card typically takes anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the state.

What if I don't remember my Medicaid ID number?

Your state's member services line can look it up using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

States mentioned in this guide

Texas

Medicaid rules vary by state

Find your state's specific income limits, application steps, and covered benefits.

Find your state

How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Medicaid Card

You don't need the physical card to get care

How to request a replacement card

If you're in a managed care plan, you may have two cards to track down

What this looks like in practice

If you need care before your replacement arrives

If someone else's Medicaid card arrives in your mail

State Medicaid agency contacts

Frequently asked questions

States mentioned in this guide

Medicaid rules vary by state

Related guides

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements

FAQ

Renewal