What are Beneficiary Identification Codes (BIC)? BICs indicate the type of benefits a Social Security claimant receives and are used as Medicare claim numbers. These codes are not assigned to a claim number until the claimant applies for Social Security benefits. For example, if the Social Security number of the Primary Claimant is 999-99-9999 and they apply for retirement benefits, their BIC is A and their claim number is 999-99-9999A. Source Code.