8/12/2008

Mandatory Insurer Reporting (MIR): Medicare Secondary Payer Reporting

A new law known as Mandatory Insurer Reporting (MIR) eff. January 1, 2008, will require insurers to report coverage information or claim information for Medicare beneficiaries to CMS for the purposes of coordination of benefits.

Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (PL 110-173) amends the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) provisions of the Social Security Act (Section 1862(b) of the Social Security Act; 42 U.S.C. 1395y(b)) to provide for mandatory reporting of insurance coverage for group health plans, liability insurance (including self-insurance), no-fault insurance, and workers' compensation. The new law imposes a reporting duty on carriers to report the identity of Medicare beneficiaries and coverage information to CMS for all those that are covered by "primary" plans like health insurance, or active claims under workers compensation or auto liability plans.

On 8-1-08 CMS released a Statement Summary listing Medicare mandatory reporting "data elements" listing required reporting details and the reasons behind implementing the requirements. Carriers must now notify CMS if a known Medicare recipient has a claim or coverage. Fines for noncompliance are $1,000 /day.

Compliance dates: -- January 1, 2009 information reporting for group health plans
-- July 1, 2009 reporting from liability insurance, no-fault insurance, and workers' compensation.

It is expected CMS will demand to be notified of all workers compensation settlements or all liability settlements for any Medicare beneficiaries so as to enforce the Secondary Payer Regulations, Medicare lien recovery rules and credits against future payments for injury related medical expense. Reporting requirements may also include (1) Nature of Injury, (2) Cause of Injury, (3) State of Venue, (4) ICD-9 primary diagnosis codes and (5) Specific Body Part involved. See the Statement Summary above for a detailed listing of data elements.

CMS created a central web page, Mandatory Medicare Insurance Reporting, for summary information regarding the updated carrier reporting requirements, updated memos and .pdf downloads.

Chicago Workers Compensation Attorneys -- http://wc-chicago.com 8-12-08

8/02/2008

Chicago Workers Compensation Attorneys


8-02-08

Chicago workers compensation attorneys with advanced trial and appeal practice before the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission since 1984. We have successfully tried all types of Illinois work injury claims in construction, food service, hospital, manufacturing and transportation.

Our Chicago workers compensation attorneys have extensive trial experience in Illinois injury claims covering a broad range of medical conditions and injury types. Our experienced attorneys work to maintain a competitive edge in Illinois work injury litigation and workers compensation injury claims.

We attempt to provide each client with individual instruction, preparation, education and available options in Illinois work injury claims. We provide dedicated and aggressive representation in Illinois workers compensation and assistance in work injury litigation in Chicago and the surrounding area cities which include:

Chicago and suburbs, Waukegan, Barrington, Lake Zurich, Mundelein, Libertyville, McHenry, Woodstock, Geneva, St. Charles, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Orland Park, Hinsdale, Naperville, Aurora, Romeoville, Joliet, Bourbonnais and Kankakee.

Covering Cook County, Lake County, McHenry County, Kane County, DuPage County, Will and Kankakee County.

If in need of assistance, contact our office at (312) 541-0049 for a review, meeting or claim consultation.


Chicago Workers Compensation Attorneys -- http://wc-chicago.com 8-02-08