November 2011
MSPRC Reform - Senate Bill 1718
On October 17, 2011, the equivalent of H.R. 1063 (Saving Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers-SMART Act) was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Nelson, Burr, Portman, and Wyden. The MSP reform efforts now have bipartisan support in both the House and Senate of Congress. It is anticipated not much progress will occur until the Congressional Budget Office and General Accounting Office complete their studies. We will continue to keep you updated as the Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC) continues its efforts for legislative change.
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Latest Social Security Administration Statistics Show Disability Benefits Growing for Beneficiaries under 62 years of Age
According to the latest Social Security Administration statistics released in September of this year, nearly one in every five Americans or nearly 60 million people, receive some type of benefit or assistance from Social Security. The statistics reveal that about 80% of those beneficiaries are age 62 or older. The fact that nearly 20%, or 12 million beneficiaries, are under 62 years of age is changing the dynamic and workload for supporting Medicare Conditional Payments and Set Asides for significant casualties.
Medicare Secondary Payer and You
Did you know the term Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) is used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) when Medicare is not responsible for paying first on a medical claim? There are documented responsibilities under the MSP laws for Beneficiaries, Providers, Employers, Group Health Plans, Attorneys, and Insurers. It is important to keep these in mind when you are administering Conditional Payments, Liens and Medicare Set Asides.