I just got a letter from my insurer saying I won't be able to use the traditional insurance card anymore. The options are either:
- link my My Number card to my health insurance, or
- carry a separate paper certificate.
I started looking into what exactly gets linked and who can access what. The official info is all over the place, and it’s surprisingly hard to find a clear, detailed explanation of what data is actually stored, what systems are connected, and which institutions gain access once you turn the My Number card into your health insurance ID.
A lot of people seem happy about “fewer cards in the wallet,” but I’m more cautious about any system that centralizes identity across multiple services. Not because of conspiracy thinking, but because once the infrastructure exists, expanding access to different agencies or even private companies becomes a policy decision rather than a technical barrier.
I’m trying to understand the real risks and benefits here. If anyone has solid information—preferably from technical docs or official sources—on what linking actually enables (and what it doesn’t), I’d appreciate it. I'm not looking to fearmonger; I just want to know what I'm opting into before I flip the switch.
by moelil