REMOVING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has just confirmed Medicare ID cards will remove Social Security numbers in 2018 as part of the agency’s continuing effort to increase beneficiary privacy protections. Medicare is preparing to stop using Social Security numbers for identification next year and will send new cards to patients with Medicare ID numbers. The move is required by a law enacted two years ago to discourage identity theft.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated its web page to help health care providers prepare for the change. The agency plans to begin mailing the new cards with Medicare beneficiary identifiers (MBIs) in April 2018. During a transition period through 2019, providers can use the MBIs or health insurance claim numbers (which are based on Social Security numbers) on transactions such as billing and claims.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office should you have any questions in regard to this pending change, or any other matter relating to Medicare, Medicaid and other statutory lien reimbursement issues.
