Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam (R-Dist. 6) and Robert Dold (R-Dist. 10) introduced a bill late last week that would update Medicare cards to safeguard seniors’ personal information and reduce Medicare fraud, which costs taxpayers up to $60 billion annually.

The Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2015 would keep seniors' personal information secure by installing chips in Medicare cards using technology similar to that used by the U.S. Department of Defense.

"We have a responsibility to our seniors to advance common-sense steps like this to ensure Medicare remains solvent far into the future," Roskam said. "Revolutionizing Medicare cards by installing smart-chip technology will help prevent fraud and improper payments on the front end and save this critical program billions of dollars annually."

Currently, the 55 million Americans enrolled in Medicare use cards that display their Social Security numbers and other personal information on the front, putting them at risk of identity theft. On the new cards, such private data would be stored in the chip. The Medicare Common Access Card Act would utilize the same type of chip technology the U.S. Department of Defense uses in cards issued to men and women in uniform to make Medicare cards more secure. The chip technology would specifically keep personal information secure and would give Medicare beneficiaries assurances that their billing is accurate when they visit their doctors.

"This will protect our seniors from fraud and save taxpayers billions of dollars per year," Dold said.

Roskam has represented Illinois' Sixth District in the House since 2007. Born in Hinsdale, Illinois, in 1961, Roskam previously served as chief deputy whip from 2011 to 2014. Roskam was educated at the University of Illinois & Chicago-Kent College of Law and serves on the  Ways and Means Committee.