Continue to Use Social Security Number

Until further notice, providers should only use the sponsor’s Social Security Number (SSN) in their web and EDI transactions with TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest). This includes verifying eligibility, checking referral/authorization status, online claims submission and claims status. The Department of Defense (DoD) announced in June that it will no longer issue military ID cards with an individual’s SSN as an identifier. The SSNs will be replaced by two new numbers. The DoD will issue new cards as individuals enlist or as a card expires. It is anticipated that there will be a four-year transition time to issue all new cards. TriWest has discovered that due to a systems issue, we cannot accept the DoD ID or 11-digit DBN when submitted in a web or EDI transaction. A systems enhancement is scheduled for this fall.