FREEHOLD – Monmouth County has been chosen as one of three counties to participate in a state-sponsored pilot program to issue permanent, plastic identification cards to those enrolled in New Jersey’s Family Care/Medicaid program.
Clients in Monmouth as well as in Camden and Sussex counties began receiving their cards in May. Clients in the remaining 18 counties will begin receiving their cards in August.
“The primary goal of the program is to achieve a greater efficiency and ease of service for recipients,” said Freeholder Robert D. Clifton, liaison to the Monmouth County Department of Human Services. “Since such a large number of people will be affected by this change, we jumped at the opportunity to begin the program here and to help the state work out any unanticipated difficulties.”
Of the 170,000 individual cards being mailed as part of the pilot program, 40,886 are being sent to recipients in Monmouth County.
Under the New Jersey FamilyCare/Medicaid program, the monthly paper client identification card will be replaced with Health Benefits Identification (HBID) card – a permanent, plastic, magnetic-stripe card similar to a credit card.
According to a press release, the new identification card is being introduced for several reasons. Because it is a permanent card, there will be savings in mailing costs, since the paper card currently in use is mailed monthly. Bar coding will permit efficiencies in electronic processing cards that are returned in the mail.
It is also anticipated that there will be a reduction in fraud, because cards that will be mailed will be inactive. The card will only be activated upon presentation to the provider by the beneficiary. Providers will access electronic eligibility verification systems that should result in reduced administrative time and resources, according to the press release. The state has contracted with UNISYS to develop, implement and operate the new identification card program.
The HBID card is currently being piloted in Monmouth, Camden and Sussex counties. Clients in the remaining counties will receive their HBID cards in August for use beginning Sept. 1.
Each family member will receive his or her own plastic identification card. The paper card was issued each month; the plastic identification card is a permanent card.
“Although the paper card is case-specific and includes eligibility, enrollment and other insurance information on the front of the card, the HBID card is client-specific and contains only a 16-digit card control number and the client’s name,” said Lynn Miller, director of the county’s Department of Human Services. “There is no Medicaid identification number listed on the HBID card and no indication of eligibility. The card is for identification purposes only and not proof of eligibility.”
Each provider must still verify eligibility before rendering services.
Clients who are HMO members will have both the HBID card and the HMO card. When accessing services, they should carry both cards.
Questions about the HBID card may be directed to the Medicaid hotline at 1-800-356-1561. Lost or stolen cards should be reported to 1-877-414-9251.