MBI Look-Up Tool

As members should be aware, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is in the process of replacing Social Security Number (SSN)-based Medicare cards with cards bearing a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number. All providers processing Medicare transactions should become familiar with the new MBI look-up tools that are now ready to use through Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) portals. If you do not have access to a MAC portal, please sign up here. Current MAC users looking to obtain an MBI will be required to submit four data elements about the Medicare beneficiary through the MAC tool, and the MBI will be returned if a new card has already been mailed to the beneficiary.

Beginning in April 2018, new MBI cards are being sent to all new Medicare enrollees. All existing enrollees will receive their new cards in phases by geographic location. Medicare beneficiaries in New York State can expect their cards in the fourth phase, with other neighboring states after June 2018. For more information on the MBI cards, click here.

Contact: Ken Allison, kallison@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8820