CMS Release
New Medicare Card: Questions about Using the MBI?
Remember: The Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) uses numbers 0-9 and all uppercase letters except for S, L, O, I, B, and Z. We exclude these letters to avoid confusion when differentiating some letters and numbers (e.g., between “0” and “O”). Read MLN Matters Article New MBI: Get It, Use It (PDF) for other helpful information, such as how to get the MBI, and what to do if an MBI changes.
Protect your patients’ identities, and use the MBI now. We will reject claims you submit with the Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN), with a few exceptions and reject all eligibility transactions starting January 1, 2020.
Don’t have an MBI?
- Ask your patients for their card. If they did not get a new card, give them the Get Your New Medicare Card flyer in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF).
- Use your Medicare Administrative Contractor’s look up tool. Sign up (PDF) for the Portal to use the tool.
- Check the remittance advice. We return the MBI on the remittance advice for every claim with a valid and active HICN.
New Medicare Card: Transition Period Ends in Less Than 5 Months
Starting January 1, 2020, you must use the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). We will reject claims you submit with the Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN), with a few exceptions and reject all eligibility transactions.
Many providers are using the MBI for Medicare transactions. For the week ending August 2, providers submitted 77% of fee-for-service claims with the MBI. Protect your patients’ identities by using MBIs now for all Medicare transactions. Don’t have an MBI?
- Ask your patient for their card. If they did not get a new card, give them the Get Your New Medicare Card flyer in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF).
- Use your Medicare Administrative Contractor’s look up tool. Sign up (PDF) for the Portal to use the tool.
- Check the remittance advice. We return the MBI on the remittance advice for every claim with a valid and active HICN.
For more information, see the MLN Matters Article (PDF).
New Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Get It, Use It — Reissued
A reissued MLN Matters Article SE18006 on New Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Get It, Use It (PDF) is available. Learn the latest information about the MBI including why to use it and how to handle special situations.