New Medicare Cards Replace the SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number
New Medicare Cards Replace the SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially started to mail new Medicare cards to beneficiaries. As a result, the new cards will use a unique, randomly assigned number called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). The MBI replaces the SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) currently used on Medicare cards. The law requires HHS to issue new Medicare cards that do not display, code, or embed SSNs by April 2019.
For example, an estimated 17.6 million persons, or 7% of all U.S. residents age 16 or older, were victims of one or more incidents of identity theft in 2014. This was gathered from the most recent data from the Department of Justice, revised on November 13th, 2017.
Migration to New ID Cards
Moving to the new MBI numbers will require updates to all healthcare beneficiary information; including financial, patient access, and EHR systems. YES HIM Consulting is currently partnering with healthcare providers to review current billing processes and systems analysis. This ensures a proper transition that will enable accuracy in billing and reduce the number of payer denials. However, this will not be an easy process, but CMS is notifying healthcare providers and its partners in a timely manner.
In conclusion, the new cards will use a unique MBI identifier number to replace the SSN-based HICN number. Therefore, CMS recommends beneficiaries, after receiving their new card, safely and securely destroy their current Medicare card. And keep their new MBI confidential.
To support a smooth transition to the MBI for Medicare beneficiaries and healthcare providers, CMS has developed a Social Security Number Removal Initiative website with updated information.
In addition, check out our YES Blog for additional Medicare news and updates. If your facility needs assistance with Medicare HCC coding or reimbursement claims, contact YES HIM Consulting today to discuss our coding support and denials remediation services.
