CLEVELAND, September 10 — A new federal law passed under the Bush administration and just now coming into effect requires the reporting of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for covered dependents to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This includes participants of all medical plans, including: The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan; and The National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union Health and Welfare Plan. In addition, if a covered dependent is eligible for Medicare, then the Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) is also required.
In order to comply with these reporting requirements, Railroad Enrollment Services has mailed a final notice to those members identified with missing dependent SSNs and/or HICNs. If you have received a notice from Railroad Enrollment Services, please provide the SSN and/or HICN for any dependent who is listed as missing this information. Please be sure to sign, date and return the Social Security Number Reporting Form by the requested return date to the address provided.
NOTE: If you do not receive a notice requesting missing dependent SSNs and/or HICNs, then you do not need to take any action at this time.
The following will occur if the requested SSNs are not provided:
For any dependent who was added to the Plan before January 1, 2009:
If Railroad Enrollment Services does not receive the Social Security Number for any dependent whose SSN is missing by January 31, 2011, the dependent(s) will be disenrolled from the Plan effective January 31, 2011.
Please be assured that when Railroad Enrollment Services transmits the SSNs and/or HICNs to CMS, they will maintain all physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information. For additional information regarding the new CMS federal law pertaining to this requirement, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MandatoryInsRep.
If you have questions or need another copy of the notification sent to you, please call Railroad Enrollment Services at 800-753-2692. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to provide missing dependent SSNs and/or HICNs during the 2011 Annual Open Enrollment process in the month of October. Your support in providing this information is appreciated.