Protocols, LLC's New Website Offers Helpful Information
We are excited to announce Protocols, LLC's official website, www.protocolsllc.com. Our site offers helpful information regarding many topics, including:
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Explanations of our many services -- Medicare set-asides and beyond. In addition, our billing rates and fee schedules are listed. (Please note, if your office currently has a contract with our firm, the terms of your contract will supersede rates on our site.)
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Have you ever wanted to associate faces with names of our consultants? Our site offers personal profiles on each staff member to help you become acquainted with the people of our firm.
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Publications are available regarding Medicare set-asides, Social Security, and other topics. In addition, an archive of Protocols, LLC's helpful newsletters are listed for your reference.
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Our up-to-date, frequently-used forms will soon be available to download, including our new electronic submission form.
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Our news & resources page shows additional information regarding our firm, CMS and the Medicare Secondary Payer statue, as well as our affiliates.
We invite your to explore our new site to learn more about the people of our firm and our services, as well as reliable information regarding Medicare set-asides and beyond. As always, we're eager to hear your comments. If you have any suggestions for improvement please contact us!
Entire Cases Can Be Submitted Online
We are pleased to unveil our new electronic submission form, which allows you to submit a case for an MSA analysis electronically. Unlike most other MSA vendors' sites, our electronic submission form allows you to upload a complete case, including payment history data, rated age quote sheets, and medical records (if available in electronic format) in addition to standard case information. Importantly, unlike competitors' sites, our secure online submission form protects information unauthorized parties during transmission. Our security encourages HIPAA compliance and protects you, your company, and your claimant's information.
Our secure, complete-case referral capability provides the best way for you to receive prompt, accurate MSA results.
You may access our online submission form via the following steps:
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Visit www.shdcolorado.com
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Click Forms
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Click Electronic Medicare Set-Aside Submission Form
We will soon offer a version of the form on Protocols, LLC's website as well.
Latest News Regarding Medicare's Prescription Drug Plan and MSAs
Q: What is the latest news regarding Medicare's prescription drug coverage?
A: As of January 1, 2006, all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of income, health status, or prescription drug usage, will have access to prescription drug coverage. How will this affect Medicare set-asides? CMS has yet to release any guidance on the treatment of prescription drugs in MSAs. We will keep in close contact with CMS regarding this situation to ensure compliance with CMS' requirements.
MSA Approval Timeframe Continues to Improve
The average time from submission of a Medicare Set-Aside proposal until CMS approval received last month approached 21 weeks. Although CMS claims to conclude its review process within 45 to 60 days, our statistics show that their process takes significantly longer. Fortunately, CMS' review time has been decreasing over the past six months.
Unfortunately, CMS' acknowledgment letter response time has slowed dramatically over the past several weeks. An average of 50 days passed before we received acknowledgment letters last month.
Please note, approval of our proposals may require slightly more time than our competitors' proposals because we advocate for the lowest MSA amount that CMS is willing to accept. Some competitors over-fund MSAs to reach expedient conclusion of cases, costing more money to parties who fund MSAs.
Staff Spotlight - Joan Reed - World Traveler to MSA
Consultant
Our Staff Spotlight intends to help our clients get to know the people behind our firm. This month's spotlight focuses on Joan Reed, MSA Consultant. Joan grew up living in many places around the world as a child in a military family, but she eventually found paradise in Colorado. Joan received her marketing degree from the University of Illinois and spent the next 10 years in the pharmaceutical industry. After pursuing other endeavors, she landed at SHD&P in June, 2004. In her spare time with her husband and two college-aged children, she takes advantage of Colorado's many offerings, as well as enjoying woodcarving, photography, and traveling.
Protocols, LLC's New Website Offers Helpful Information
Entire Cases Can Be Submitted Online
Latest News Regarding Medicare's Prescription Drug Plan and MSAs
MSA Approval Timeframe Continues to Improve
Staff Spotlight - Joan Reed - World Traveler to MSA Consultant
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