Medicare Beneficiary Identifier Update

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has finished mailing new Medicare cards. All beneficiaries should have received their new Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs). Providers should have systems established to accept the new Medicare cards, including billing, claims submissions, and eligibility transactions. MBIs are intended to offer Medicare beneficiaries better identity protection. Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, all Medicare transactions, including those originating prior to 2020, must use MBIs with few exceptions. Medicare will reject transactions submitted using Social Security Number (SSN)-based Health Insurance Claim Numbers.

CMS will host an Open Door Forum (ODF) on MBIs on Wed., Sept. 11, 2019 at 2 p.m. Providers can participate by phone only. To participate, dial 1-888-455-1397 and reference conference passcode 4676500. The ODF will provide project updates on MBIs for health care providers and their management systems.

For further information on MBIs, click here.

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