MARC Coalition Supports the Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act (SMART Act) - H.R. 1063

Proposed legislation produces multiple wins for Medicare beneficiaries, the Medicare Trust Fund and businesses resolving claims.

Coalition recognizes Congressmen Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Ron Kind (D-WI) for their strong, bipartisan leadership.

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC) today announced its support for HR 1063, The Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act (SMART Act).    Introduced by Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI), the SMART Act will significantly improve the efficiency of the current Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) system and speed repayment of amounts owed from Medicare beneficiary claims directly to the Medicare Trust Fund.

"The SMART Act will help to streamline our government in tight fiscal times by creating a MSP system that works effectively for all stakeholders," said Roy Franco, Co-Chair of MARC and representing the MSP efforts for Safeway. "Under the current MSP system, Medicare beneficiaries and third parties are having significant problems settling claims, because they cannot determine the amount owed to Medicare in a timely manner.  This situation wastes limited judicial and other resources and needlessly delays settlements.  Further, the current system causes significant confusion for Medicare beneficiaries, the most vulnerable of our population and, places an unreasonable burden on businesses around the country.  Further, the current MSP repayment process ultimately limits the return of dollars owed to the Medicare Trust Fund", says Franco.

 "MARC applauds the leadership role that Congressman Tim Murphy and Congressman Ron Kind have taken in introducing this legislation," said Marc Salm, Vice Chair of MARC and Vice President of Risk Management for Publix Super Markets, Inc.  "The Congressmen's strong support and efforts to introduce this legislation demonstrates the bi-partisan cooperation needed to streamline the current system and make the MSP repayment process more efficient.  This will only benefit Medicare recipients, companies and the trust fund.  We strongly encourage other lawmakers to follow their lead and to co-sponsor The SMART Act," says Salm.

If enacted, The Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act (SMART Act) – H.R. 1063 will create a more efficient and effective system for all involved by:

• Allowing parties to settle faster, by obtaining from the Government the amount of Medicare repayments owed before settlement, rather than after.
• Fixing the onerous reporting process, eliminating the need for companies to collect customer Social Security numbers in order to report payments (as the Agency requires today). 
• Including other important benefits, such as a threshold set to ensure the Government does not spend more on collecting small claims than it stands to recover.   

"If the SMART Act is enacted it will produce a win-win-win.  Medicare beneficiaries will be able to settle claims, companies will be able to resolve disputes faster and more efficiently, and the Medicare Trust Fund will be repaid quicker and more efficiently," says Franco.

About MARC:

The Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC) advocates for the improvement of the Medicare Secondary Payer program for beneficiaries and affected companies.  The Coalition collaborates and develops strategic alliances with Congressional leaders and government agencies to focus on implementation of Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) reporting, and on the broader issue of 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 on MARC, please visit www.marccoalition.com.

SOURCE The Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition