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DoD to Remove Social Security Numbers from ID Cards
In response to an increasing awareness of the growing need to protect the identity information of service members and their families, the DoD will begin to remove Social Security numbers (SSNs) from DoD identification (ID) cards. Despite the fact that SSNs will be removed from DoD ID cards, TRICARE will continue to base all operations (e.g., eligibility verification, claims submission, appeals ) on the sponsor SSN. While TRICARE beneficiaries are being educated about this transition, extra care should be taken to solicit an accurate sponsor’s SSN from the beneficiary at the time of service to support your business operations. You may continue to copy DoD ID cards for your records; however, the SSN is being removed.
SSN removal will occur in three phases:
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Phase one, affecting family member ID cards, began in 2008
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Phase two will remove all printed SSNs and will begin in 2009
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Phase three will remove SSN information embedded in barcodes and will begin during 2012
These changes are being made upon ID card renewal.
Note: The sponsor’s ID card will retain the last four digits of the SSN; however, it will not be identified on family member ID cards.
For more detailed information regarding the SSN Reduction Plan, please visit the DMDC Smartcard page.
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