
What does MBI stand for Medicare?
The MBI has 11 characters, like the Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN), which can have up to 11. Will the MBI’s characters have any meaning? Each MBI is randomly generated. This makes MBIs different than HICNs, which are based on the Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of people with Medicare. The MBI’s characters are “non-intelligent” so ...
What is the HIC number for Medicare?
Mar 19, 2020 · Use MBIs for all Medicare transactions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) replaced the Social Security Number (SSN)-based Health Insurance Claim Numbers (HICNs) with the MBI and mailed new Medicare cards to all Medicare beneficiaries. The cards with MBIs offer better identity protection. With a few
What is MBI# for Medicare?
Feb 08, 2020 · Medicare will issue new ID cards with a new unique, randomly-assigned number called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) to replace the existing Social Security-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN). All Medicare cards will be replaced by April 2019. What does c2 mean on Medicare card? Suffixes
What is MBI number for Medicare?
Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) We removed Social Security Number (SSN)-based Health Insurance Claim Numbers (HICNs) from Medicare cards and are now using Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) for Medicare transactions like billing, eligibility status, and claim status. We worked closely with our business partners:

What is MBI and Hicn?
We removed Social Security Number (SSN)-based Health Insurance Claim Numbers (HICNs) from Medicare cards and are now using Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) for Medicare transactions like billing, eligibility status, and claim status.Dec 1, 2021
What is the Medicare Hicn number?
The Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) is a Medicare beneficiary's identification number, used for paying claims and for determining eligibility for services across multiple entities (e.g. Social Security Administration (SSA), Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), States, Medicare providers and health plans, etc.)
How do I find my Medicare MBI number?
Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Lookup InquiryGo to Eligibility from the main menu, then choose the MBI Lookup Inquiry.Enter the required Beneficiary Details fields: First Name. Last Name. Date of Birth (DOB) Social Security Number (SSN) Enter the "I am not a robot" text (Only needed once for every 5 transactions)Nov 18, 2019
Is MBI the same as Hicn?
CMS replaced the HICN with a new, randomly generated MBI. The MBI has 11 characters, like the HICN, which can have up to 11. Each MBI is randomly generated which makes MBIs different than HICNs, which are based on the SSNs of Medicare recipients.Dec 17, 2019
What does a Hicn look like?
HICN numbers are made up of a nine-byte social security number plus a one to two character Beneficiary Identification Code.Jun 26, 2017
When did MBI replace Hicn?
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) required CMS to remove SSNs from all Medicare cards. CMS replaced the SSN-based HICN with a new, randomly generated MBI. The MBI hyphens on the card are for illustration purposes: don't include the hyphens or spaces on transactions.Mar 19, 2020
What is the Medicare MBI format?
MBIs are numbers and upper-case letters. We use numbers 1-9 and all letters from A to Z, except for S, L, O, I, B, and Z. If you use lowercase letters, our system will convert them to uppercase letters.
What is MBI lookup?
The Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Lookup tool allows providers to use our secure eServices online portal to obtain the new MBI number when patients do not present their Medicare card. If you do not already have access, sign up now for access to eServices to use the tool.
When did Medicare switch to MBI numbers?
Beginning in April 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began issuing new Medicare identification (ID) cards.Aug 16, 2019
Is BNC same as claim number?
Is BNC the Same as a Claim Number? A BNC is not the same as a claim number. Social Security uses your Social Security number for benefit claims. This number consists of nine digits and an alphanumeric suffix that identifies the type of beneficiary and their qualification category.Jan 20, 2022
What is the BNC on Social Security letter?
On 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. 2004—Benefit Checks.May 23, 2017
What is the new Medicare ID format?
MBI will contain Numbers and letters (Uppercase), that will use 0 to 9 numbers and all letters from A to Z, they have excluded S,L,O,I,B and Z so that will help all characters to easier to read. The MBI's 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th characters will always be a letter. Characters 1, 4, 7, 10, and 11 will always be a number.
What is a COBA in Medicare?
Medicare' s Coordination of Benefits Agreement (COBA) trading partners (supplemental insurers, Medigap plans, Medicaid, etc.) must submit the MBI to get Medicare crossover claims. Exceptions on use of HICN on outbound Medicare crossover claims will apply.
When to ask Medicare patients for their cards?
Ask your Medicare patients for their Medicare cards when they come for care. If they don’t bring it with them when they come for care, give them the Get Your New Medicare Card flyer in
Can you look up MBIs for Medicare?
You can look up MBIs for your Medicare patients when they don’t or can’t give them. Sign up for the Portal to use the tool. Even if your patients are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can look up their MBIs to bill for things like indirect medical education.
What is an MBI in Medicare?
The United States Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Health care providers. Health plans. Every person with Medicare has been assigned an MBI. The MBI is confidential like the SSN and should be protected as Personally Identifiable Information. You MUST submit claims using MBIs, no matter what date you performed the service, with a few exceptions.
What letters does MBI not use?
The MBI doesn’t use the letters S, L, O, I, B, and Z to avoid confusion between some letters and numbers (e.g., between “0” and “O”). Learn about and use our MBI format specifications (PDF) to make changes to your systems.
Can you use HICN for Medicare?
Medicare plan exceptions: Appeals - People filing appeals can use either the HICN or the MBI for their appeals and related forms. Adjustments - You can use the HICN indefinitely for some systems (Drug Data Processing, Risk Adjustment Processing, and Encounter Data) and for all records, not just adjustments. Reports - We’re using the HICN on these ...
When will MBI end?
CMS will end the MBI transition period on Dec. 31, 2019, and the MBI must be used for all traditional Medicare transactions. Starting on Jan. 1, 2020, regardless of the date of service, Medicare transactions will be rejected if the MBI is not used.
What is an MBI character?
Each MBI is randomly generated which makes MBIs different than HICNs, which are based on the SSNs of Medicare recipients. MBI characters are “non-intelligent” so they don’t have any hidden or special meaning. As a reminder, each person with Medicare will get his/her own randomly generated MBI.
Where is the RRB logo on Medicare card?
The RRB logo will be in the upper left corner and “Railroad Retirement Board” at the bottom, but you can’t tell from looking at the MBI if your patient is eligible for Medicare because they’re a railroad retiree.
When will Medicare be rejected?
Starting on Jan . 1, 2020, regardless of the date of service, Medicare transactions will be rejected if the MBI is not used.
When is MBI required for Medicare?
Effective January 1, 2020 : The MBI is required for all transactions submitted to Medicare including (not all inclusive) Claim Submission: electronic and paper claim submissions for all dates of service. Claims received with HICNs will be rejected, even for dates of service prior to January 1, 2020.
When to use MBI for claim status?
Claim status query – You should use the MBI if available, but are allowed to use the HICN to check the status of a claim (276 transactions, or within the IVR or portal) if the earliest FROM date of service on the claim is before January 1, 2020.
Is a Medicare card a confidential information?
The MBI is confidential and should be protected as Personally Identifiable Information. Effective January 1, 2020: The MBI is required for all transactions submitted to Medicare including (not all inclusive) ...
When can I use HICN?
However, there are a few exceptions when you can use either the HICN after January 1, 2020, if you are unable to obtain the MBI: Appeals – You should use the MBI if available, but are allowed to use HICNs for claim appeals and related forms if the MBI is unavailable.
Can a beneficiary change MBI?
The MBI may be changed due to a beneficiary or authorized representative request, or CMS may initiate the change. Refer to " What to Do If the MBI Changes .". Using the old or new MBIs in relation to claim submissions: Span-date claims with a "From Date" before the MBI change date – use the old or new MBI.
What is a HICN number?
Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN)—This is the number used by Social Security and Medicare to identify a beneficiary. Social Security is responsible for all eligibility assignment and enrollment into Medicare while Medicare is responsible for oversight and fulfillment of the health benefits. The HICN may look similar to a beneficiary’s social ...
How many letters are there on a Medicare card?
There are more than 30 different letters that could be used for various reasons. A new recipient may have a “T” until his benefit is activated at the initial enrollment. When completing an enrollment form, always list the number as it is shown on the Medicare ID card even if you know the number will be changing.
What is a HIC number?
A HIC number (HICN) is a Medicare beneficiary’s identification number. Also, remember when billing, ALWAYS use the name as it appears on the patient's Medicare card. Both CMS and the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) issue Medicare HIC numbers.
What is the format of a HIC number?
The format of a HIC number issued by CMS is a Social Security number followed by an alpha or alphanumeric Beneficiary Identification Code (BIC). RRB numbers issued before 1964 are six-digit numbers preceded by an alpha character.
When did Medicare use Social Security numbers?
After 1964 , the RRB began using Social Security numbers as Medicare beneficiary identification numbers preceded by an alpha character. Below are the characteristics for each HIC type. “A” beneficiary (retired worker or disabled worker) “C” children (child or grandchild of a retiree)
