Are SSNs required?

It depends. Medical carriers usually require Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for both members and dependents. Ancillary carriers usually require the SSN for the enrolling employee and do not require SSNs for dependents. 

SSN Rules for B&P Medical Carriers 

All B&P medical carriers require SSNs for members and dependents as required by law except as noted below:

Aetna 

• Employee: Required. 
• Spouse: Required, will accept ITIN with proof. 
• Dependents: Not required for dependent children under the age of 18. 

Anthem Blue Cross

• Employee: Required 
• Spouse: Required, will proceed with SSN Exception form. Anthem will follow up with a letter to the member requesting SSNs. 
• Dependents: Required, will proceed with SSN Exception form. Anthem will follow up with a letter to the member requesting SSNs. 

CaliforniaChoice 

• Employee: Required. 
• Spouse: Required, will enroll spouse without SSN after CalChoice is on record as requesting it. CalChoice will follow up with a letter to the member requesting SSNs. 
• Dependents: Required, will enroll dependents without SSN after CalChoice is on record as requesting it. CalChoice will follow up with a letter to the member requesting SSNs. 

Cigna + Oscar 

• Employee: Required. 
• Spouse: Required. 
• Dependents: Required. 

Covered CA for Small Business 

• Employee: Required. 
• Spouse: Required, will accept ITIN. 
• Dependents: Not required for dependent children under the age of 18. 

Health Net 

• Employee: Required. 
• Spouse: Required, will accept ITIN with proof. 
• Dependents: Not required for dependent children under the age of 18. 

Kaiser Permanente 

• Employee: Required. 
• Spouse: Required, will accept ITIN with proof. 
• Dependents: Not required for dependent children under the age of 18. 

UnitedHealthcare

• Employee: Required.
• Spouse: Required, will proceed with SSN Attestation form. UHC will follow up with a letter to the member requesting SSNs.
• Dependents: Required, will proceed with SSN Attestation form. UHC will follow up with a letter to the member requesting SSNs. 

SSN Rules for B&P Ancillary Carriers 

SSNs are normally listed under the member and not required for the spouse or dependents. 

• ChoiceBuilder 
• Delta Dental 
• Guardian 
• Humana 
• MetLife 
• Principal 
• VSP 

Please contact a member of your B&P Sales Team if you have any questions regarding Social Security Number rules and our carriers.