In 2018 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) removed Social Security number-based Health Insurance Claim Numbers (HICNs) from Medicare cards and is now using Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) for certain Medicare transactions, such as billing, eligibility status, and claim status. CMS is currently in a transition period through Dec. 31, during which either HICNs and MBIs can be submitted with claims.
However, beginning Jan. 1, 2020, all claims must be submitted with MBIs regardless of the date the service was performed. Claims submitted with the HICN will be rejected, with a few exceptions.
More information can be found on the Noridian Healthcare Solutions MBI information page. Noridian will host a training webinar on Sept. 10 at noon (PT) to help providers initiate the use of MBIs prior to implementation at the end of the year. Registration is required.