Social Security Numbers will be Removed from Medicare Beneficiaries Medicare Cards
Social Security cards will look different
Medicare is removing Social Security numbers from the Medicare cards. One of the largest identity thefts that can be devastating to one person’s financial situation is if their Social Security number is stolen. The federal government is taking steps to help prevent that by removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. Under the Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act of 2015, it requires the CMS remove Social Security numbers from all Medicare cards by April of 2019. A new Medicare beneficiary identifier will replace the Social Security number as the identifier on Medicare cards.
CMS will be sending new Medicare cards with the identification numbers beginning in April 2018.
Minnesota Work Injury Claimants do not need to use Social Security Numbers
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and Office of Administrative Hearings has been, for some time, taking steps to prevent Social Security numbers from being used as identifiers. Instead, a WID number is given and used, which is specific to each person. Its unique 8-digit number is generated when a claim creating document is received by the Department of Labor and Industry, such as a First Report of Injury. The WID number is used instead of Social Security numbers.
The federal government recommends that if you do believe that your Social Security number is being used by someone, that you should review your earnings posted on your Social Security statement. This can be reviewed at www.mysocialsecurity.gov. You should review it for any inconsistencies and then contact the Social Security Administration.
Social Security also recommends that you visit www.identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and to get a recovery plan. They also encourage you to contact the IRS for issues involving taxes if you believe someone is using your Social Security number.
You may also order a free credit report annually from the three major credit bureaus including Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They also recommend that you file a report with the local police where the identity theft took place.
