CCW Encrypted Beneficiary ID Number

SAS Name
BENE_ID

The unique CCW identifier for a beneficiary.

The CCW assigns a unique beneficiary identification number to each individual who receives Medicare and/or Medicaid, and uses that number to identify an individual’s records in all CCW data files (e.g., Medicare claims, MAX claims, MDS assessment data).

This number does not change during a beneficiary’s lifetime and each number is used only once.

The BENE_ID is specific to the CCW and is not applicable to any other identification system or data source.

Source: CCW