Medicare Matters, Part I

Medicare really matters, and for injury-claim-handlers, now more than ever. We regularly deal with the complex world of medicare set-aside trusts, the MSPA of the MMA, but now get ready for the MMSEA (the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007). This Act contains mandatory insurer reporting requirements for payments made to injured workers eligible to receive benefits; and, if I still need to get your attention, civil penalties for failure to report of up to $1,000 per day per claim.

Due to the newness and complexity of the issues, I personally have avoided trying to learn the rules and terminology. How about you?

But help is on the way! I was delighted to find a helpful article published in March, 2009, edition of the Nebraska Lawyer. Medicare Matters covers issues arising from Medicare's right to recover conditional payments. Part I of the series addresses the new mandatory reporting requirements. Part II and III will deal with recovery of past conditional payments and set-aside trusts.

Stephanie Stacy and Jill Schroeder, members of the Baylor Evnen law firm in Lincoln, Nebraska, have explained the issues in terms that even a judge can understand. You can read and print this article on my website, by clicking here.