Workers' Compensation Medicare Set-Aside (WCMSA)

1/13/2022 - 5 min read

New Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside (WCMSA) Reference Guide (Version 3.5) takes aim at non-submit and EBMSAs

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an updated Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside (WCMSA) Reference Guide (Version 3.5, January 10, 2022).

10/8/2021 - 1 min read

CMS releases new WCMSA Reference Guide (Version 3.4)

CMS has just released their latest version of the WCMSA Reference Guide (Version 3.4, October 4, 2021). This new guide replaces WCMSA Reference guide version 3.3.

4/29/2021 - 2 min read

CMS releases new WCMSA Reference Guide (Version 3.3)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has just released their latest version of the WCMSA Reference Guide (Version 3.3, April 19, 2021).

3/12/2021 - 4 min read

The COMP Act is reintroduced in the U.S. Senate

On 3/10/21, Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the Coordination of Medicare Payments and Workers’ Compensation Act (COMP Act) (S. 653) into the United States Senate.

3/5/2021 - 1 min read

Starting March 27, 2021, CMS will use the 2018 CDC Life Table for WCMSAs

Starting 3/27/21, CMS has announced that it will use the new 2018 CDC Life Table to calculate adjusted life expectancies in Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Asides (WCMSAs).

10/6/2020 - 1 min read

CMS releases new WCMSA Reference Guide (Version 3.2)

On 10/5/20, CMS released its latest version of the WCMSA Reference Guide, Version 3.2. This guides replaces version 3.1, released on 5/11/20.

5/15/2020 - 1 min read

CMS releases new WCMSA reference guide (Version 3.1)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has just released its latest version of the WCMSA reference guide version 3.1 (May 11, 2020).

3/30/2020 - 9 min read

Settling claims in unsettling times

In a time of social distancing and uncertainty, many are left wondering how our current working and social paradigm will impact workers’ compensation claims handling – especially being able to close claims.

Glenn Carstens Peters Npxxwgq33zq Unsplash 1

3/30/2020 - 4 min read

Social Security Administration suspends processing of third-party requests to determine SSDI status

As of 3/17/20, all the Social Security Administration field offices have been closed to the public in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic according to its website. Despite the closures, the SSA remains functional.

National Cancer Institute Nfvdkihxylu Unsplash 1

3/23/2020 - 1 min read

Starting April 25, 2020, CMS will use the 2017 CDC life table for WCMSAs

In an alert dated 3/17/20, CMS announced beginning 4/25/20, it will use the new 2017 CDC life table to calculate adjusted life expectancies in Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Asides.

11/8/2019 - 4 min read

CMS holds webinar on WCMSA Electronic Attestations for Professional Administration

On 11/6/19, CMS held a webinar on Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside (WCMSA) Electronic Attestation Enhancement for Professional Administrators.

11/1/2019 - 4 min read

CMS holds webinar on WCMSA Electronic Attestations for Self-Administered Accounts

On 10/30/19, CMS held a webinar to discuss recent enhancements to the Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside Portal (WCMSAP).

10/31/2019 - 6 min read

CMS releases new WCMSA Reference Guide (Version 3.0)

CMS has released a revised Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside (WCMSA) Reference Guide (Version 3.0, October 10, 2019).

10/18/2019 - 3 min read

CMS releases WCMSA Self-Administration Toolkit 1.3

CMS has released the latest edition of its Self-Administration Toolkit for Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside Arrangements (Version 1.3; October 10, 2019).

10/11/2019 - 8 min read

Ninth Circuit: CIGA is not a “primary payer” under the MSP and does not have to reimburse Medicare

In a significant new case out of California, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit)[1] in California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) v. Azar, 2019 WL 5076945 (9th Cir. Oct. 10, 2019) reversed the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California [2] and ruled that CIGA is not a “primary plan” under the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) statute and, therefore, not liable to reimburse Medicare conditional payments made on behalf of workers’ compensation claimants.