Medicare Numbers Revamped

CMS announced that it will begin moving away from its current ID system. That system has long relied on Social Security Numbers as the basis for Medicare’s “Health Insurance Claim Number” or HICN (its name for what we refer to as the Medicare number).

While this change is a major positive step toward reducing identity theft, it has limited effect on us in the lien resolution world. Both points are good news though. Limiting identity theft is an obvious positive and limiting change in our lien resolution process is helpful as well.

As these randomized numbers come into play in April 2018, you’ll want to maintain the same practices we currently advise: get a copy of all insurance cards from plaintiffs. The information on those cards is vital toward properly identifying and resolving Medicare liens, private health insurance liens like ERISA plans, and even Medicaid liens.

A full pdf of CMS’s alert can be found here.

If you need help reducing Medicare liens consider utilizing an expert service. For help with Medicare Liens, Medicaid Liens and any other Health Insurance Lien , please contact us at (844) MED LIEN or (844) 633-5436.