What does the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) replace?

The Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) was introduced to improve the security and privacy of Medicare beneficiaries. The primary purpose of the MBI is to replace the Social Security number that was previously used on Medicare cards. This switch helps protect against identity theft and ensures that beneficiaries' personal information is kept confidential.

The MBI is a unique, 11-character identifier that does not contain any personal identifiable information, like Social Security numbers, which were previously used. This change reflects a broader effort to enhance data security and to modernize how Medicare interacts with beneficiaries while maintaining streamlined access to their healthcare services.

The other options pertain to different elements of the Medicare card that have not been replaced by the MBI. The enrollment date, plan type, and expiration date of coverage continue to provide necessary information regarding a beneficiary's Medicare plan and its terms, but the MBI specifically focuses on replacing the Social Security number as a means of identifying beneficiaries.