OLD vs NEW CARDS
- Ben Murray
- Jul 17, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 17, 2024
The Need for New Medicare Cards & Protecting Your Information
Protecting Beneficiary Privacy and Security
For decades, Medicare cards included beneficiaries' Social Security Numbers (SSNs) as their primary identifier. While this was initially convenient, it posed significant risks in an era where identity theft and fraud have become increasingly prevalent. Including SSNs on Medicare cards made beneficiaries vulnerable to identity theft if their cards were lost or stolen.
Reducing Fraud and Abuse
Medicare fraud is a persistent and costly issue, draining billions of dollars from the healthcare system annually. Fraudsters often use stolen SSNs to commit various forms of fraud, including billing for services not provided or filing false claims. By removing SSNs from Medicare cards, the government aimed to reduce opportunities for fraud and abuse.
When did the government issue new Medicare cards and numbers?
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015
The legislative push for new Medicare cards began with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015. This act included a mandate for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to remove SSNs from all Medicare cards. The goal was to enhance the security of Medicare beneficiaries' personal information.
Implementation Timeline
April 2018: CMS began mailing new Medicare cards to beneficiaries. The rollout was gradual to ensure a smooth transition and to give beneficiaries time to become familiar with the new cards.
April 2019: By this date, CMS had completed the mailing of new cards to all Medicare beneficiaries. The new cards featured a unique Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) instead of the SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN).
The Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI)
The MBI is a randomly generated alphanumeric code designed to be unique to each beneficiary. It consists of 11 characters, including both numbers and uppercase letters, and follows a specific format to prevent the use of easily guessable numbers.
Keeping the New Card Safe
While the new Medicare cards no longer contain SSNs, they are still valuable pieces of personal information. Beneficiaries should keep their cards in a safe place and avoid sharing their MBI with anyone who doesn't need it for legitimate healthcare purposes.
Protect your Medicare number like a credit card
Only give personal information, like your Medicare number, to health care providers, your insurance companies or health plans, and your local licensed broker, Ben Murray.
Say no to scams
Don’t share your Medicare number or other personal information with anyone who contacts you by phone, email, or in person, unless you contacted them first and gave them permission to contact you.
If someone calls and asks for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give us personal or private information.
Carrying your card
You’ll need the information on your Medicare card to join a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan or buy Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), so keep your Medicare card in a safe place.
If you have Original Medicare:
Carry your Medicare card with you when you’re away from home.
Show your Medicare card to your doctor, hospital, or other health care provider when you get services.
If you have a Medicare drug plan or supplemental coverage, carry that plan card with you too.
If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan:
You’ll use your plan’s card to get services, not your Medicare card.
Keep your Medicare card in a safe place in case you switch plans or go back to Original Medicare later.
How do you get another Medicare card?
If your card is lost or damaged you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to order a replacement card to be sent in the mail. If your name has changed: Your Medicare card shows the name you have on file with Social Security. Contact Social Security if you legally changed your name.
The issuance of new Medicare cards and numbers was a crucial step in protecting beneficiaries' personal information and reducing fraud. By removing SSNs and introducing the MBI, the government has taken significant strides toward enhancing the security and integrity of the Medicare program. Beneficiaries can now enjoy greater peace of mind, knowing their personal information is better protected in an increasingly digital world. As Medicare continues to evolve, these changes ensure that the program remains robust and secure for current and future generations.
If you’d like me to help you or someone you care about figure out the best Medicare route, please reach out to me TODAY! -> CONTACT BEN <-
