WellChoice is committed to protecting the privacy of our members, and we take great care in protecting our members' personal information. As part of that commitment, WellChoice is implementing new safeguards to help keep our members' personal information confidential by taking action to assign non-social security numbers as identification (ID) numbers. Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding this effort and how it impacts our provider community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is WellChoice doing to protect the privacy of its members' social security numbers?
WellChoice is assigning new ID numbers to all of its members. In the past, a member's ID number was his/her social security number (SSN). The new ID numbers will be unique, non-SSN numbers and will replace the previous ID numbers.
Q. Over what time period will this be taking effect?
WellChoice will be issuing new ID cards to all of its members from June 2004 through December 2005. WellChoice will be compliant with all state laws that restrict the use of SSNs.
Q. How is the new member ID number different from a member's previous ID number?
The new ID cards will look the same as the previous ID cards except for the ID number. New ID numbers will still begin with a three-letter prefix but, instead of the social security number, it will be followed by an eight-digit uniquely generated number beginning with an "8". (The previous ID number was a three-letter prefix plus a nine-digit ID based on the member's SS.) In some special cases, a member may have a 9 digit non-SSN ID number.
Q. How are members being notified?
From June 2004 through December 2005, whenever members are issued new ID cards with their new member IDs, they will also receive an insert informing them of their new ID numbers. Members will also be kept up to date about this initiative via our member newsletter.
Q. What have members been instructed to do?
The new card will become effective the moment it is received and members should replace the old ID cards with the new ones. Members have been instructed to inform their healthcare providers of the change in their ID numbers once they receive them to avoid delays in claims processing.
Q. What do providers need to do?
- Once your WellChoice member patients inform you that they have a new ID number, you should update your patient records with the new ID numbers and be prepared to accept and administer new ID numbers when they are received
- Use the new ID numbers instead of your patients SSNs for all correspondence with your patients as well as WellChoice, whether by hard copy, online, via the web or by telephone.
Q. How does this impact claims submissions?
Providers should submit claims under their members' new ID numbers. Claims and membership history will be maintained internally under both numbers.
Q. What is being done to help ease the transition?
For a period of time, you will continue to see both the old ID number and new ID number on certain outgoing provider documents. Please note that for claims submitted under the member's new ID number, paper and electronic remittances will only show the member's new ID number.
