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FAQs on Medicare's use of Social Security Numbers

Q: Why is it a risk to have my Social Security number on my Medicare card?
A: Having your Social Security number on your Medicare card puts you at a much higher risk of identity theft. Lost or stolen Medicare cards with personally identifiable information on them, like Social Security numbers, can be used by criminals to commit fraud or open new accounts using your identity. For instance, a criminal with your Medicare card may try to use your Social Security number to open new credit card accounts or to draw on your existing bank accounts.

Q: How likely is it that my identity will be stolen?
A: According to the Federal Trade Commission, 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years, including 9.9 million people in the last year alone. According to the survey, last year�s identity theft losses to businesses and financial institutions totaled nearly $48 billion and consumer victims reported $5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses.

Q: How can I protect myself from having my identity stolen and what do I do if I suspect that someone is using my identity?
A: Click here for information about avoiding ID theft and what to do if you become a victim.

Q: What will replace my Social Security number on my Medicare card?
A: Many health insurance companies now generate random ID numbers that appear on your identity cards or on your mailings. Medicare could continue to use Social Security numbers internally, but like other health insurers, could assign consumers unique numbers that would appear on Medicare cards.

Q: Doesn�t Medicare need to know my Social Security number?
A: Yes, Medicare does need to know your Social Security number in order to provide you the benefits to which you are entitled. However, like many other companies, Medicare can discontinue the use of Social Security numbers in public places, like ID cards and mail. They can use a randomly generated ID number that would appear on public documents but that would connect you to your Social Security number. Thieves would not be able to use this number to open credit card accounts or steal money from existing accounts.

Q: What does Medicare say about replacing Social Security numbers (SSNs) with unique identifiers?
A: Many government agencies and nonprofit organizations support the change to unique IDs on Medicare cards. The Government Accounting Office (GAO) has published a number of reports on Social Security number use and its dangers. An official from the GAO commented to Consumers Union that he �sees no reason why the Social Security number can�t be removed from the Medicare card.� Medicare says it has started talking about removing Social Security numbers, but this answer is too vague when other health insurers have already completed the process. One Medicare representative recommended that consumers should leave their Medicare cards at home unless they plan on traveling, but this could lead to inferior medical service in an emergency. We think consumers have the right to carry their insurance cards with them without incurring the risk of identity theft.

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