Reminder:
New requirement for applications
As you're completing applications with your clients, be sure to include the correct Medicare ID number, which is now the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have removed the Social Security Number (SSN)-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) from Medicare ID cards to help prevent fraud and fight identity theft. As a result, we can no longer accept HICN numbers on applications.
If you do not know the MBI, leave it blank on the application. Do not try to guess the number or fill in the field with other text.
Be aware of these Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) characteristics when entering it on the application:
- The MBI has 11 characters, a combination of UPPERCASE letters and numbers
- The MBI will never include the following letters:
- S, L, O, I, B, Z (these letters are frequently mistaken for certain numbers)
Entering the incorrect Medicare number or invalid text could delay claims processing by up to four weeks. If we receive an application with an incorrect Medicare ID number, the member will receive a separate letter (at a later date than their policy) requesting their Medicare ID number.
If we receive an application without a Medicare ID number listed, the member will receive a letter with their policy, requesting their Medicare ID number.
Thank you for your continued business.
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