New MBI Card
As you may already know, Medicare is in the process of replacing Social Security Numbers (SSN) from all Medicare ID cards and replacing the SSNs/HICN with a random ‘Medicare Beneficiary Identification Number’ or MBI number. CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) will begin mailing the new Medicare ID cards in April 2018. Medicare Beneficiaries should watch the mail for their new MBI card.
CMS will use an MBI generator to assign Medicare Beneficiary Identification Numbers for active and deceased/archived beneficiaries, as well as creating a unique MBI number for each new Medicare beneficiary. The new MBI numbers will better protect your private health care and financial information.
CMS is allowing a transition period that will end on December 31, 2019. During the transition period, either ID Card will be accepted. However, after the transition period ends, only MBI Cards will be accepted and transmitted.
IMPORTANT:
For Medicare Supplement Plan Members: Remember, you’ll need to show your new MBI card to any provider’s office to update their records once you receive your new card.
For Medicare Advantage Plan Members: You’ll continue to show your current insurance carrier card that lists your Medicare Advantage Carrier’s name, NOT your new MBI card when you seek services. You should keep your new MBI card in a safe, secure place.