CMS to Allow Payers to Identify Claimants Using Partial SSNs

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have alerted Medicare secondary payers that they can identify claimants using only the last five digits of their Social Security numbers when reporting settlements, judgments and awards. The change, announced Sept. 10, is in accordance with the Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012, according to the alert. The new rule will go into effect Jan. 5, 2015. The centers are still encouraging payers to use full Social Security numbers or health insurance claim numbers when possible to help staff accurately determine whether individu...