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Special Announcement --
Legislation was recently introduced to create new standards regarding
Medicare Set-Asides. H.R. 2549, sponsored by Rep. John Tanner
(D-TN), Rep. Phil English (R-PA), Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds (R-NY), and
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), was introduced in the House on May 24,
2007. The bill aims to create consistent standards and achieve a
more efficient review process that currently poses a burden on injured
workers as well as states and workers' compensation payers.
The bill revolves around regulations
created by CMS to enforce the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Act, which
was set in place to prevent workers' compensation settlements from
shifting the financial burden of claims to Medicare. Supporters
of the legislation say that CMS' current review process lacks
consistency, requires too much time, and provides no channel to appeal
decisions. Supporters believe a legislative answer is the best
solution.
Several organizations strongly support
the proposed legislation, including the American Insurance Association
(AIA), the Coalition for Medicare Secondary Payer Reform, the Workers
Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG), and Strategic Services on
Unemployment and Workers' Compensation (UWC).
We will continue to track this bill and distribute updates accordingly. To read more details about
the bill, click
here.
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