AdvancePCS ID card without social security number now available

Faculty, staff and retirees concerned about the use of their Social Security number on prescription drug identification cards have access to protections offered by the University for the AdvancePCS prescription drug program.

The use of Social Security numbers as the person identifier on prescription drug identification cards is a common practice. It allows consistent identification across vendors and service providers, such as medical and prescription drug plans, doctors, hospitals and pharmacies to confirm eligibility for receiving services and processing claims.

While the practice is not in violation of legislation or University policy, U-M is sensitive to those who are concerned about identity theft and offers a process for obtaining an ID card that uses an alternate identifier.

It is important that faculty, staff and retirees who request new cards notify their pharmacies that the identification number for prescription drugs has changed. Pharmacies must update individual claim records to reflect the change in identification number; otherwise, claims may be rejected. If this occurs, the claims must be resubmitted. The University cannot provide a guarantee that pharmacies will remove the Social Security number from their existing records.

In addition, it is important to inform covered dependents of the change so they will not be denied service.

Use scissors to cut up old cards into multiple pieces so the entire Social Security number is not on any one piece, and deposit the pieces in different trash bins.

When ordering prescriptions through the AdvancePCS mail-order service, users should enter the identification number that appears on their prescription drug identification card on the order form in the "Member Identification Number" box, whether the number is the Social Security number or the employee identification number.

The Benefits Office will notify new faculty and staff members of the option to obtain an identification card that uses their employee identification number. The University will explore the feasibility of a practice change from the use of Social Security numbers to employee identification numbers.

How to obtain an AdvancePCS alternate number ID card

Upon request initiated by a faculty member, staff member or retiree, AdvancePCS will issue new identification cards that use the employee identification number as the person identifier. The Benefits Office will coordinate all requests for a new identification card. Calls to AdvancePCS will be referred to the Benefits Office. Requests for an alternate identification card can be submitted in any of the following ways:

· Send an e-mail to prescription.drugs@umich.edu. Include in the message the employee's name, current home address and employee identification number (which can be found on paystubs)

· Call the HR/Payroll Service Center at (734) 615-2000 or toll-free at (866) 647-7657 and provide the above information

· Write a letter that includes the above information and mail it to Prescription Drug ID Cards, Benefits Office, Wolverine TowerLow Rise G405, 3003 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1278.

Tips for protecting your identity

Identity theft occurs when someone obtains key pieces of personal information about another person and uses the information to impersonate the victim. To protect your identity:

· Carry credit cards and other ID cards only when you need to use them. Keep them in a safe place when not in use.

· If your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, cancel your credit cards immediately and file a police report.

· Be cautious with your personal information. Before giving out personal or financial information, know how it will be used and whether it will be transferred to third parties. If you have a choice, opt out of releasing such information.

· Use care in disposing of items that contain identifying information, such as charge receipts, insurance forms, bank checks and statements, and credit offers and applications. Identity thieves go through trash bins; it can be a gold mine for them.

· Use caution when placing outgoing mail, such as credit card payments, in your mailbox and raising the flag for the postal carrier. This can be an invitation to an identity thief to steal your mail and obtain valuable information.

· Carefully review credit card and bank statements for unauthorized activity and discrepancies. If you find any, report them immediately.

· Do not give out your credit card number or other personal information over the telephone unless you placed the call.

· If you shop over the Internet, check on security measures before entering personal information or your credit card number, and be sure you are dealing with a reputable business. If you don't know the company, check it out first.

These tips are from the State of Michigan Attorney General's Office Web site at http://www.ag.state.mi.us/cp/alerts/c_alerts/consumer_alert26.htm.

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