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.

Certain health insurance policies purchased on or before March 23, 2010, the date of the ACA’s (Affordable Care Act) enactment, are referred to as “grandmothered” or “grandfathered” plans. These plans were sold directly by insurance companies or agents prior to the March 2010 date and were issued to individuals and, in some cases, to groups/employers. Most of these “grandmothered” or “grandfathered” plans do not include some rights and protections provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), like certain preventive care or underwriting protections.

In the past, the Federal Government has placed an extension on these “grandmothered” or “grandfathered” health insurance plans. The Ohio Department of Insurance has recently approved this year’s extension issued by the Federal Government. This means individuals/families and some groups who are currently enrolled in a “grandmothered” or “grandfathered” health insurance plan may be able to keep their plan active until December 31, 2019.

Please check with your carrier directly for specific information on whether your plan is considered “grandmothered” or “grandfathered” and whether your plan is impacted by this extension.