Medicare Blog

what does the letters behind a medicare number mean

by Rhoda Erdman Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Here's what the letters behind the Medicare number mean: *A = retired worker. B. = wife of retired worker. B1 = husband of retired worker.

What is the letter code on my Medicare card?

This number is their Social Security number followed by a code. Your Medicare number is often referred to as a Medicare claim number. The letter codes at the end of your Medicare claim number may appear on correspondence receive from Social Security or on your Medicare card. Still Have questions?

What do the letters after a social security or Medicare number mean?

What do the letters after a Social Security or Medicare number mean? The Social Security number followed by one of these codes is often referred to as a claim number. We assign these codes once you apply for benefits.

How many letters are there in a Medicare number?

In all, there are 12 letters that may follow the numerical part of the number. A letter code can be followed by additional number suffix letters. Letter code “A” is the most prevalent code. It denotes a primary claimant who is retired and has paid into the Medicare system as a wage earner for at least 40 quarters.

What do the numbers on a Medicare claim mean?

Besides the letter A, which indicates you are a primary claimant who has paid into the Medicare system as a wage earner, there are 33 other common codes that appear at the end of Medicare Claim Numbers to identify the nature of eligibility. There are also many less common codes, a list of which can be found in Section 50.

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What do the letters after a Medicare number mean?

After the numerical sequence, there will be a letter or a letter followed by another number. These codes indicate Medicare eligibility. For example, assume you are the wife (62 years or older) of the primary claimant, and your husband's SSN is 555-55-5555. Your Medicare number would be 555-55-5555-B.

What does the B mean after the Medicare number?

“B” by itself means you are the wife of the primary claimant, and are at least 62 years old. Other Medicare suffixes in the “B” category include: B1 for the husband (62 years or older) of a primary claimant. B2 for a young wife with a child in her care.

What information is on the back of a Medicare card?

Your card will come in a white envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services (see example on the right). The back of the envelope will say, “Official information from Medicare.” Medicare will mail new Medicare cards with new Medicare numbers from April 2018 through April 2019.

What does the letter B mean after your Social Security number?

Interestingly, this list is not complete but shows only the most common SSA beneficiary codes....What Do The Letters After A Social Security Or Medicare Number Mean?CodeIdentificationBAged wife, age 62 or overB1Aged husband, age 62 or overB2Young wife, with a child in her careB3Aged wife, age 62 or over, second claimant30 more rows•Jul 10, 2010

What is Medicare Part C called?

A Medicare Advantage is another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called "Part C" or "MA Plans," are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare.

How do you get Medicare Part C?

To be eligible for a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan:You must be enrolled in original Medicare (Medicare parts A and B).You must live in the service area of a Medicare Advantage insurance provider that's offering the coverage/price you want and that's accepting new users during your enrollment period.

How do you read a Medicare card?

Your 10 digit Medicare Card Number. Your single digit Medicare Reference Number....ExampleThe Card Number is 1234567890 for the entire family.John Smith's Individual Reference Number (IRN) is 1.Helen Smith's IRN is 2.James Smith's IRN is 3.Jessica Smith's IRN is 4.

What can someone do with my Medicare number?

One common kind of healthcare-related fraud is medical identity theft, which happens when a thief uses personal information — including your Medicare number — to access your healthcare benefits. This could include: Filling prescriptions. Purchasing medical equipment.

Is your Medicare number the same as your Social Security number?

Your card has a Medicare Number that's unique to you — it's not your Social Security Number. This helps protect your identity. The card shows: You have Medicare Part A (listed as HOSPITAL), Part B (listed as MEDICAL), or both.

Why does my Social Security number have an A at the end?

Can I enter this in Drake Tax? The letters at the end of a SSN indicate the claim number for a SSI or Social Security beneficiary. Per the SSA: "If you are an SSI beneficiary, your claim number is your nine-digit Social Security Number (SSN) (000-00-0000) followed by two letters such as EI, DI, DS, DC.

What are the 3 types of Social Security?

Social Security Benefits: Retirement, Disability, Dependents, and Survivors (OASDI)

What does BNC mean on Social Security letter?

Beneficiary Notice CodeOn Social Security COLA notice, we began displaying a Beneficiary Notice Code (BNC). The BNC is an encrypted 13-character alphanumeric code that helps our employees identify the notice and the beneficiary, and further eliminates the need to include the SSN.

What do the letters on my Medicare card mean?

What do the letters on your Medicare card mean? The Medicare number displayed on Medicare cards (known as an MBI, or Medicare Beneficiary Identifier) is 11 characters long: The 2nd, 5th, 8th and 9th characters are always a letter, and the 3rd and 6th characters are sometimes a letter. All other characters will be numbers, and the letters S, L, O, ...

What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B is medical insurance and provides coverage for outpatient doctor’s appointments and medical devices. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, provides coverage for everything found in Part A and Part B through one plan provided by a private insurer.

What is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, uses a letter system to identify its plans. Medicare Supplement Insurance is used in conjunction with Part A and Part B of Medicare to provide coverage for certain out-of-pocket expenses like some Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

What is the meaning of MBI?

All other characters will be numbers, and the letters S, L, O, I, B and Z will never be used. The MBI is randomly generated and is “non-intelligent,” which means it contains no hidden or special meaning and is therefore more difficult for someone to use to steal your identity or commit fraud.

Does Medicare cover dental insurance?

Many Medicare Advantage plans may also cover additional benefits not covered by Part A and Part B, such as prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, wellness programs like SilverSneakers and more. Medicare Part D provides coverage exclusively for prescription drugs.

What do the letters after a Social Security number mean?

What do the letters after a Social Security or Medicare number mean? The Social Security number followed by one of these codes is often referred to as a claim number. We assign these codes once you apply for benefits.

What is the claim number for Medicare?

These letter codes may appear on correspondence you receive from Social Security or on your Medicare card. They will never appear on a Social Security card. For example, if the wage earner applying for benefits and your number is 123-45-6789, then your claim number is 123-45-6789 A . This number will also be used as your Medicare claim number, ...

How many digits are in Medicare?

The first nine digits of your medicare number should look familiar to you. Most times, they match your social security number. However, there are some cases where it will be the SSN of your spouse, parent or child instead.

Where is my Medicare claim number?

Your Medicare Claim Number is located on your Medicare card underneath the beneficiary name. Providers use this number to provide Medicare covered services. It is also the number you will provide to the Social Security Administration when discussing your Medicare account and terms. The first nine digits of your medicare number should look familiar ...

What does a T in Medicare claim mean?

Medicare Claim Numbers ending in “ T” mean you are eligible for for Medicare Part A, but not for retirement benefits. This could be because you suffer from chronic kidney disease, or have eligibility due to Medicare Qualified Government Employment (MQGE), or the spouse of a MQGE.

What is the Medicare code for primary beneficiary?

Relationships to the Primary Beneficiary Codes. The most common code is code “A”. This simply means you are the primary claimant who has become eligible for Medicare through paying into the Medicare system for over 40 quarters.

What does C1 mean on Medicare?

Suffixes following “C” indicate your relationship to the primary claimant. “C1” means you are the first child, “ C2” means you are the second child and so forth.

Does Medicare Part C appear on your card?

If you have enrolled in Medicare Part C ( Medicare Advantage) or Part D ( prescription drug coverage ), this information will not appear anywhere on your Medicare card, but on a separate membership card that you receive after enrollment.

Why Medicare uses a claim number

Medicare once used a beneficiary’s Social Security number to file claims. But the Medicare program loses billions of dollars to fraud every year, and using a person’s Social Security number makes it easier for people who commit fraud to steal identities and abuse Medicare benefits.

How your Medicare claim number is used

Medicare beneficiaries generally do not have to file claims on their own. When you receive care, your health care provider will take your Medicare card and use the claim number on the front of your card to file a claim on your behalf. According to Medicare rules, health care providers have one year from the date of service to file a claim.

How to replace your Medicare card

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and follow the automated prompts for reporting and replacing a lost or stolen card. You may also print a temporary copy of your card through your MyMedicare.gov account.

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