Proposed legislation streamlines process to expedite Medicare trust fund, beneficiary reimbursements

Coalition recognizes Pennsylvania congressmen

WASHINGTON, March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC) today announced its support for HR 4796, the Medicare Secondary Payer Enhancement Act of 2010. Introduced by Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA), the bill supports the government's need to be reimbursed for Medicare expenses while streamlining the payment process and providing all parties to a claim certainty and finality.

"The current Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) process places considerable impediments upon the flow of needed information, beneficiaries' ability to settle claims, and everyone's ability to promptly reimburse the Medicare trust fund," said Roy Franco, co-chairperson of MARC and director of risk management services for Safeway Inc. "These roadblocks discourage settlement, slow down the return of trust fund dollars, and ultimately rendering many cases involving Medicare beneficiaries unsettlable."

"MARC appreciates the leadership role that Congressman Patrick Murphy and Congressman Tim Murphy have taken in introducing this legislation," said Katie Fox, co-chairperson of MARC and MSP Compliance & Resolution Manager for MedInsights, Inc. "This bill includes several major innovations that allow the trust fund and Medicare beneficiaries get reimbursed quicker and all parties get certainty and finality regarding a claim. The Congressmen's efforts demonstrate the bi-partisan cooperation needed to streamline the current system to the benefit of Medicare recipients, companies and the trust fund. We encourage other lawmakers to follow their lead and to co-sponsor this bill."

If enacted, the Medicare Secondary Payer Enhancement Act of 2010 will:

• Revise the information flow so that MSP conditional payment demand occurs before settlement
• Provide a safe harbor alternative if the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is unable to provide a final demand BEFORE settlement
• Provide a right of appeal to a non-group health plan settling party
• Establish a $5,000 threshold on MSP recoveries and set a three year statute of limitations
• Protect beneficiaries' from having to disclose their Social Security Numbers (SSN) or Health Insurance Card Number (HICN).

The Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC) advocates for the improvement of the Medicare Secondary Payer program for beneficiaries and affected companies. The coalition has been collaborating and developing strategic alliances with Congressional leaders and government agencies to focus on broader Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) reform.  MARC's membership is comprised of entities representing virtually every sector of the MSP regulated community including attorneys, brokers, insureds, insurers, insurance and trade associations, self-insureds and third-party administrators. For more information, please visit www.marccoalition.com.

SOURCE The Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition