| Social Security Numbers Removed from
Cards
To protect members’
privacy, Social Security numbers on Humana member identification
cards are being replaced with unique member identification (UMID)
numbers that are assigned by Humana.
This privacy-protection enhancement eliminates the need for members
to reference their Social Security numbers in order to access health
care benefits.
 Although
the UMID will replace Social Security numbers on all member identification
cards by June 30, 2005, the ID number change will not take effect
for all Humana members at the same time. Earlier this year, the
change took effect for some new and existing commercial members.
The bulk of Humana’s Medicare members will be assigned UMIDs
by December 1, 2004, with an effective date of January 1, 2005.
Medicaid members will receive cards as members enroll.
The UMID is comprised of one alpha character and eight digits followed
by a two-digit dependent code, such as H12345678-02, for some plans.
However, for other plans, the UMID consists of a nine-digit all
numeric (non-Social Security) ID number.
In order for practices to have up-to-date member information, submit
accurate claims and avoid unnecessary claims payment delays, office
staff members are encouraged to obtain new photocopies of all Humana
member identification cards when they arrive to receive care.
Although Social Security numbers have long been used as the main
identifier on member identification cards, several states have passed
legislation that prohibits the use of Social Security numbers on
documents that may be exposed to the public and more states are
expected to follow.
For more information, contact Humana Customer Service at
1-800-4-HUMANA (1-800-448-6262).
How
Will The New Unique Member ID
Affect Your Office Staff?
As previously indicated, systems should
be ready to accommodate UMIDs for Humana Medicare and Medicaid
members by December 1, 2004. Internal systems should be ready
to accommodate UMIDs for Humana commercial members now, as
implementation of the new member IDs has already begun.
- Submitting claims: The process
for filing claims will not change. However, once a member
receives a UMID, provider offices and facilities should
begin using that number to submit claims to Humana. Remit
notices sent to providers by Humana will reflect the new
member identification number.
- Checking eligibility, obtaining
preauthorization: If the member has received a UMID, providers
should use the UMID to check eligibility and obtain preauthorization.
(If your system cannot accommodate the change at this time
or if the UMID has not yet been assigned, continue to use
the member Social Security number until the necessary adjustments
have been made to your internal systems and until the UMID
has been assigned. Your internal systems should be able
to accept and transmit either type of number.)
- Automated Information Line (AIL):
Voice recognition was added to Humana’s automated
phone system in May 2004. If the keypad is preferred, the
script indicates that you can enter the asterisk symbol
(*) for any alpha character.
- Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR):
Humana’s precertification system has been enhanced
and will accept both the UMID and SSN. Use the number on
the member ID card when accessing this system.
- Web applications: Humana’s
Web site, www.humana.com,
and Availity, www.availity.com,
enable member identification by either UMID or SSN.
- System requirements: Since the
ID number change will not take effect for all of our members
simultaneously, practice/facility administrative systems
should accommodate Social Security numbers as well as UMIDs.
(Contact your internal systems administrator or the company
from which you purchased your accounts receivable system,
practice management system, and/or other internal systems
for assistance. If your system cannot accommodate the change
at this time, you may continue to use the member Social
Security number until you have made adjustments to your
system. It may be necessary to capture both the UMID and
SSN until your internal systems are ready to accept the
UMID changes.)
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