We're getting close to the effective date for the new MBI, so it's time to prepare your staff for the changes to their claim processing.
As of January 1, 2020, Medicare will only accept the MBI in the "Insured's ID Number" box. This will be based on submission date, not Date of Service. However, the appeals and adjustments will continue to allow providers to use HIC number and MBI. This increases the importance of the practices obtaining the new card from the patient.
Keep reading to find out more important information.
Attention: Medicare Billing Changes in 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mailed new Medicare cards containing a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) to all Medicare beneficiaries. Providers may use the Health Insurance Claim (HIC) number or MBI to submit Medicare claims during the transition period between April 2018 and December 31, 2019.
Effective January 1, 2020, only the MBI may be used to submit Medicare claims.
The MBI replaces the Social Security Number (SSN)-based HIC number on the new Medicare cards for Medicare transactions like billing, eligibility status, and claim status. The MBI is confidential like the SSN and should be protected as Personally Identifiable Information.
Starting January 1, 2020, you MUST submit claims using MBIs (with a few exceptions), no matter what date you performed the service. We are now in a transition period that goes through December 31, 2019, where you can use either the HICN or the MBI to exchange data with CMS.
Visit the medicare website to see even more information here.
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