We’re a little more than half way through 2012 and thus far we have seen some significant changes in the Mandatory Insurer Reporting landscape.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made long awaited updates to the Medicare Medicaid SCHIP Extension Act (MMSEA) User Guide for Non-Group Health Plans (NGHP). These may have been the result of CMS listening to Town Hall teleconference attendees, fielding Section 111 e-mail submitter questions and interacting with industry committees.
The latest version of the User Guide introduced new formatting with sections separated into functional categories. The new NGHP User Guide also includes additional charts and tables affording readers a better understanding of context and work flow.
CMS announced during a recent Town Hall teleconference the merging of functionalities between the Coordination of Benefits Contractor and the Medicare Secondary Payer Contractor. The industry will benefit from the increased efficiency in processing of MIR data and Medicare Secondary Payer identification and handling conditional payment liens.
While some changes have been beneficial, others have not been as effective.
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) issued a Medicare Learning Center ‘News Flash’ advising Medicare fee for service providers on proper procedures for identifying primary payers and making correct and timely billing submissions to Medicare. Despite this notification and training of CMS contractors, there remain widespread reports of injured parties contacting insurers or their agents seeking remedy for affected Medicare treatment and services disrupted by NGHP Section 111 reporting. Along with the administrative burden on the industry, there is frustration over the inability to affect resolution.
The annual Responsible Reporting Entity (RRE) Profile Report confirmation and recertification process has proven to be an arduous task. Many legitimate RRE’s are in a discontinued status and have become non-compliant. Clearly, improvements to communication and workflow are needed prior to January 2013 to prevent recurrence of the administrative log jam.
Lastly, there are issues which remain unaddressed, such as the reconvening of the Mass Tort group and creation of policy and guidance regarding NGHP Section 111 reporting.
In two quarters, we’ve witnessed increased organizational efficiencies with CMS contractors and much improved documentation. There has been progress but many significant issues remain unresolved and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.
About the Author: John Miano is the Manager of Reporting Services for Gould & Lamb, LLC. His primary responsibility is directing the implementation of CMS Section 111 reporting programs for our clients. He has over 20 years experience in the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry and is currently an active committee member of the International Association of Industrial Accident Board Committees (IAIABC). He is also a former Executive Board Member of the Association of Workers Compensation Claim Professionals (WCCP) and is a Board Certified Workers Compensation claim adjuster (CWC).
Gould & Lamb is a global leader of MSA/MSP Compliance Services in the country, serving domestic and international insurance companies, third-party administrators and self-insured entities.
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