You signed up for Medicare, you have your red, white, and blue card, and now you want to see your claims, print a replacement card, or check your Part B deductible online. That all happens inside your secure Medicare account at Medicare.gov.
CMS released enhanced Medicare.gov login options on March 3, 2026. You can now create or log in to a secure Medicare account using ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov.
CMS says there is no cost to create or use any of these services for Medicare.gov login, and the options are meant to help protect Medicare information from fraud and identity theft.
The setup path starts at Medicare.gov. From there, choose ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov, or use the in-person or phone-help options Medicare lists if online verification is not a good fit.
Confirm You Have a Medicare Number First
You cannot create a Medicare online account until you already have a Medicare Number. The Number is issued only after you enroll in (sign up for) Medicare.
This matters even if you already hold an ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov account from another service: those alone will not let you finish creating the Medicare account without your Medicare Number. If you try to register before you have it, the process will not complete.
Gather What You Need for Self-Service Verification
Medicare.gov says online verification can be completed in a few minutes with a smartphone camera. Exact requirements depend on the service, so follow the prompts for ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov.
In general, Medicare.gov says online verification may ask for a picture of a REAL ID U.S. driver's license, a state-issued photo ID, or a U.S. passport. If you do not have one of those but have other U.S. documents, ID.me may still be able to verify your identity.
It may also ask for your Social Security number.
You may be asked for a photo or video of yourself.
If online verification is not a good fit, Medicare.gov lists in-person verification through ID.me or Login.gov. If you do not have access to a smartphone or computer, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help with Medicare.
Start at Medicare.gov and Pick a Verification Service
Open any web browser and go to Medicare.gov, then select the option to log in or create your account.
From there, choose one of the three free identity-verification services: ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov.
Each is free, will not sell your data, and keeps your health information with Medicare rather than the verification service.
If you already use one of these services elsewhere, pick that one and sign in instead of creating a duplicate account.
Support hours differ slightly: ID.me offers 24/7 live chat, CLEAR offers 24/7 support, and Login.gov offers customer support plus in-person verification options.
Verify with ID.me (Selfie or Video-Call Backup)
ID.me supports a self-service online path, in-person verification, and a video-call option if online self-service does not work.
On Medicare.gov, select the ID.me button, then select Continue.
If you already have an ID.me account (your "Wallet"), enter your existing email and password rather than creating a new one. Otherwise create a Wallet.
Next, set up or complete multi-factor authentication (MFA).
If your identity is already verified, review the information Medicare.gov will receive, select Allow to share it, and you are returned to Medicare.gov.
If you still need to verify, select your photo ID type.
Then upload a clear photo of the ID.
Select Continue.
Take a short video selfie.
Then enter your Social Security number, address, and phone number.
Review everything for accuracy and select Allow to share your information with Medicare.gov.
If self-service verification fails, ID.me offers a video call: enter your personal information.
Upload your identity documents.
Wait for document review and approval.
Then join a video call with an ID.me agent and show your documents during the call.
After approval, return to Medicare.gov and select Log in.
Verify with CLEAR
Medicare.gov lists CLEAR as one of the free, secure services you can use to create or log in to your Medicare account. Medicare.gov's general online-verification guidance says you may be asked for a picture of an accepted ID, your Social Security number, and a photo or video of yourself.
Start at Medicare.gov and choose CLEAR on the Medicare.gov sign-in page.
Follow CLEAR's prompts to verify your identity.
If you cannot create or connect the account through CLEAR, use Medicare.gov's CLEAR help links or call 1-800-MEDICARE if you need help with Medicare account access.
Medicare.gov says in-person verification is only available through ID.me or Login.gov, not CLEAR.
Verify with Login.gov (Online)
Login.gov handles secure sign-in only. It has no information about your Medicare application, status, membership, or eligibility, so use it strictly to get into your account.
- 1.On Medicare.gov, choose the Login.gov option to sign in. Create a Login.gov account with an email and password (and set up authentication) if you do not already have one.
- 2.Step 1: Take photos of your ID online using an accepted ID type (driver's license, state ID, or passport book). You may be asked to take a selfie to confirm the ID is yours, or you can choose to verify in person at a U.S. Post Office instead.
- 3.Step 2: Enter your Social Security number. Login.gov checks your personal information against public and proprietary records.
- 4.Step 3: Verify your phone number; Login.gov sends a one-time code to your phone. If the phone cannot be verified, you may be offered the option to verify your address by mail.
- 5.Step 4: Re-enter your password to store your verified information and connect it to Medicare.
Verify in Person at a UPS Store or Post Office
Medicare.gov says in-person verification is available only through ID.me or Login.gov. You start the identity verification process online using a desktop computer or smartphone, then follow the service's instructions to go to a physical location for in-person help.
If you do not have access to a smartphone or computer, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
For the ID.me route, start from Medicare.gov.
Sign in to or create your ID.me Wallet.
Choose the in-person option if it appears.
Then schedule an appointment or choose a walk-in retail location.
Bring the identity documents ID.me requests and your QR code or registration code.
For the Login.gov route at the Post Office, first complete the online steps: verify your personal information and your ID, then verify your phone number.
Login.gov emails you a barcode and a deadline. The barcode expires 7 days after you finish the online steps.
Bring the SAME ID you used online. A passport is not accepted for the in-person option, so use a driver's license or state ID card.
Bring the barcode printed or on your phone.
At the Post Office, tell the retail associate you are there to verify your identity. They scan your barcode and review your ID; they do not see your results.
Login.gov emails you (from [email protected]) within 24 hours stating whether verification succeeded.
Get Help by Phone Without a Computer
If you cannot or prefer not to verify online or in person, Medicare can help directly.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help with Medicare, your account, or creating and connecting it.
TTY users call 1-877-486-2048.
Medicare live chat is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays.
1-800-MEDICARE can also mail you a replacement Medicare card if you cannot reach the online account.
What Your Secure Medicare Account Lets You Do
Once you are signed in, the account is the place to manage Original Medicare details.
View your Original Medicare claims as soon as they are processed.
Print a copy of your official Medicare card.
See a list of preventive services you are eligible to get in Original Medicare.
Sign up to receive your yearly "Medicare & You" handbook and Medicare Summary Notices electronically.
Add your prescriptions and pharmacies to help compare health and drug plans in your area.
Learn about Medicare premiums and pay them online if you get a bill from Medicare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still log in with my old Medicare username and password?
Medicare.gov says that if you already have a Medicare account, you can connect it to ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov. Once you connect the existing Medicare account with one of these identity verification services, you can no longer log in using your existing Medicare username or password.
Do I really have to take a selfie?
No. Medicare.gov says you are not required to use biometric identity verification, with a photo or face ID, to create a Medicare account. Online verification may ask for a photo or video of yourself, but Medicare.gov lists in-person verification through ID.me or Login.gov, and Medicare's privacy policy also lists a Medicare.gov login option that is non-biometric.
Which service should I choose?
All three are free options for Medicare.gov login. ID.me offers 24/7 live chat and video-call assistance, CLEAR offers 24/7 support, and Login.gov offers customer support and in-person verification at participating U.S. Post Offices. Medicare.gov says in-person verification is available only through ID.me or Login.gov.
What if my account is locked?
If Medicare.gov sends you to its account unlock flow, use medicare.gov/account/unlock-account. If the problem is with ID.me, CLEAR, or Login.gov, Medicare.gov says to contact that service or use its help page. If you still need help with your Medicare account, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Why can't Login.gov answer my Medicare questions?
Login.gov only handles secure sign-in and holds no information about your Medicare application, status, membership, or eligibility. For coverage or account questions, call 1-800-633-4227 instead.
What do I bring to verify in person at the Post Office?
Finish the online steps first, then bring the same ID you used online (a driver's license or state ID; a passport is not accepted for the in-person option) and your emailed barcode. The barcode expires 7 days after you complete the online steps, so go before it lapses.
