Stop SSN RI (Social Security Number Removal)
- by: Shelley H
It is my understanding that a change occurred as a result of the passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 that effectively eliminates the social security number as an identifier in a Medicare beneficiary’s policy number. THE PRICE TAG FOR THIS CHANGE WILL BE IN THE BILLION $$ RANGE! Additionally, no actual budget was established and one man is allowed to spend the money....
The language related to cost to make this change is:
"The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall establish cost effective procedures to ensure that an SSN is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII or enrolled under part B of title XVIII and that any other identifier displayed on such card is not identifiable as a Social Security account number (or derivative thereof). The HHS Secretary shall establish a cost-effective process that involves the least amount of disruption to, as well as necessary assistance for, Medicare beneficiaries and health care providers."
So, it appears it is now up to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, to determine what the price of this change will be. I have also been advised by my state’s Governor’s office that the states will receive a 90% federal match in cost associated at the state level. In my state, Nebraska alone the Medicaid system change will be $1.4 million.
This change has been deemed necessary for identity theft--but really is there over a billion in identity theft losses. I can only imagine being a cancer survivor how much actual care can be provided for that price tag. I am convinced that this is NOT well spend money and it will not translate in affecting the healthcare of the majority of citizens. After all, the IRS utilized the social security number as an identifier.
Last, the federal and state government cost is not the only cost. Think of all the private companies that will be affected and costs they will endure.
I feel enough is enough. Billion dollar line items of spending (our tax dollars) without the logic of how it will impact the majority of our daily lives is not responsible when we are talking cutting billions in social spending.
This is NOT a wise use of our tax dollars. Please support putting a STOP to spending these funds on an administrative update. Help me tell members of congress we want more accountability on how our tax dollars are spent!
Sign PetitionSign PetitionThe language related to cost to make this change is:
"The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall establish cost effective procedures to ensure that an SSN is not displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII or enrolled under part B of title XVIII and that any other identifier displayed on such card is not identifiable as a Social Security account number (or derivative thereof). The HHS Secretary shall establish a cost-effective process that involves the least amount of disruption to, as well as necessary assistance for, Medicare beneficiaries and health care providers."
So, it appears it is now up to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, to determine what the price of this change will be. I have also been advised by my state’s Governor’s office that the states will receive a 90% federal match in cost associated at the state level. In my state, Nebraska alone the Medicaid system change will be $1.4 million.
This change has been deemed necessary for identity theft--but really is there over a billion in identity theft losses. I can only imagine being a cancer survivor how much actual care can be provided for that price tag. I am convinced that this is NOT well spend money and it will not translate in affecting the healthcare of the majority of citizens. After all, the IRS utilized the social security number as an identifier.
Last, the federal and state government cost is not the only cost. Think of all the private companies that will be affected and costs they will endure.
I feel enough is enough. Billion dollar line items of spending (our tax dollars) without the logic of how it will impact the majority of our daily lives is not responsible when we are talking cutting billions in social spending.
This is NOT a wise use of our tax dollars. Please support putting a STOP to spending these funds on an administrative update. Help me tell members of congress we want more accountability on how our tax dollars are spent!
See more petitions:
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.