What is a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier?

An MBI is a unique combination of letters and numbers assigned to each Medicare beneficiary. It replaced the old HICN number to help protect beneficiaries from identity theft and fraud.

Why did CMS replace HICNs with MBIs?

CMS replaced Health Insurance Claim Numbers with MBIs to eliminate the use of Social Security numbers on Medicare cards, improving security and reducing the risk of identity theft.

Can agents create SSA.gov accounts for their clients?

No. Agents cannot create SSA.gov accounts for clients, even with written permission. Doing so violates SSA rules and can lead to criminal or civil penalties.

How can agents assist clients over the phone to find their MBI?

Agents can call 1-800-MEDICARE with the client present, either on speakerphone or through a three-way call. Medicare representatives can verify identities and provide the MBI directly to the beneficiary.

Can insurance carriers help clients get their MBI?

Yes, some carriers offer support in retrieving MBIs, but this process can take longer due to office hours. It’s usually faster for clients to check SSA.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Can new-to-Medicare clients use Medicare.gov to find their MBI?

No. New beneficiaries cannot create a Medicare.gov account until they have received their MBI, since the number is required for registration.

4 Ways to Help Your Clients Find Their Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI)

During some Medicare sales appointments, you may meet with a client who wants to enroll in a plan but doesn’t have their Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI).

Fortunately, there are ways you can help them get their MBI or look it up!

What Is the MBI?

MBI stands for Medicare Beneficiary Identifier.

Each client has a unique MBI that’s made of random numbers and uppercase letters. Medicare uses this code to be able to identify beneficiaries while protecting their sensitive information.

Medicare uses this code to be able to identify beneficiaries while protecting their sensitive information.

As of January 1, 2020, the MBI is the only identifier agents and clients can put on Medicare applications.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mailed out new Medicare cards, with this brand-new identifier, in 2018 and 2019. This move also phased out the old HICN (health insurance claim number) identifier.

CMS transitioned to the MBIs to help protect Medicare enrollees against fraud and identity theft. (HICNs were based off enrollees’ Social Security numbers.)

If you have a client who doesn’t know their MBI, here’s how you can help them find it.

1. Ask the Client to Log in to SSA.gov

Has your client registered for their free account on the Social Security Administration’s website, SSA.gov? If they have an account, they can find their MBI by logging in.

If they don’t have an account, they can always create one! Once they log in, they simply go to Get a Benefit Verification Letter and then go to the Medicare information section to see their MBI.

Once they log in, they simply go to ‘Get a Benefit Verification Letter’ and then go to the Medicare information section to see their MBI.

Note: You cannot create an SSA.gov account for your client. The Social Security Administration has strict rules related to creating an account on their site which state that, “You cannot create an account on behalf of another person or using another person’s information or identity, even if you have that person’s written permission.”

This includes people with which the person attempting to create an account has a business relationship. If you break these rules, you could be subject to criminal or civil penalties, or both.

2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE with the Client

Another way you should be able to find out a client’s MBI is to call 1-800-MEDICARE with the client. If you’re with the client, you can do this via putting a single phone on speakerphone. If you’re remote, you can always set up a three-way conference call, with yourself, the client, and Medicare.

You can do this via speakerphone with your client present or by setting up a three-way conference call, with yourself, the client and, Medicare.

Agents report that, sometimes, they end up speaking to two Medicare representatives during this call. The first rep confirms who they’re speaking with (you and your client), and the second rep provides you both with the MBI. If you encounter trouble with getting a client’s MBI from the first person you speak with, try asking to speak with a level two rep.

3. Ask the Carrier If They Can Help

Some insurance carriers will actually help agents and clients get MBIs. You may have received communication from your carriers about this service already. If you haven’t, it never hurts to call or email and ask!

It never hurts to ask a carrier if they’ll help, but remember, carriers have set office hours.

We recommend attempting to locate the MBI via SSA.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE before going with this option. The first two methods are available 24/7 and often provide you and your client with an answer fast. Carriers usually have set office hours, so it can take them longer to get an MBI.

4. Ask the Client to Log in to Medicare.gov

Has your client previously registered with Medicare.gov? If so, they can find their MBI by logging in to their account with the site. They can even print or order a new Medicare card via this portal!

Clients already registered with the site can find their MBI this way and even get a new Medicare card!

Note: This method will not work for new-to-Medicare enrollees because they need their MBI to create a Medicare.gov account.

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If you have clients who are ready to sign up for a Medicare plan, but don’t have their Medicare card handy, fear not! Try one of the ways to find MBIs above and help them get the Medicare coverage they want and need when they need it.

If you haven’t already, register for free and become a Ritter agent! We’re ready to be in your corner and support your sales success.