To curb identity theft the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is now sending beneficiaries new Medicare cards that no longer contain Social Security numbers. CMS is required by law to replace all the current Medicare cards by April 2019.
This is also a good time for psychologists to begin asking patients if they have a new Medicare card and remind them to bring the new card to future appointments. When CMS sends out a new card it includes instructions for a safe way to dispose of the card that contains the beneficiary’s social security number.
The new Medicare cards will have a randomly-assigned number known as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). The MBI will contain both numbers and letters in a combination unique to each individual.
There will be a transition period through Dec. 31, 2019, when CMS will accept cards with either Social Security numbers or the new MBI. By Jan. 1, 2020, providers and beneficiaries must use only the MBI. Starting in June 2018 providers will be able to look up their patients’ new MBIs through their Medicare Administrative Contractor’s secure portal.
Psychologists should take this time to determine if their practice management and billing services can accommodate the new 11-digit alpha numeric MBI. Those who use vendors for billing or other purposes should check that the vendor’s system is prepared to accept the MBI.