A significant portion of my legal practice has focused on workers’ compensation insurance defense. Although this area is rich with Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) compliance guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), it has often been misunderstood by practicing attorneys. Part of the problem may stem from the “unsexy” nature of Medicare, after all, who doesn’t associate Medicare with visions of older people?
When I realized that MSP compliance issues couldn’t be ignored, I dove into studying the MSP statute and became a self-proclaimed MSP compliance nerd. (Yes, Virginia, there are quite a few of us.)
My admittedly irrational interest in MSP compliance led me into the world of MSP vendors, where beginning in 2010 I consulted on both liability and workers’ compensation cases. My shift to the plaintiff side began in 2020 when I joined Synergy as their Director of MSP Compliance. My work involves advising attorneys and their injured Medicare beneficiary clients about how the MSP Act may impact their personal injury settlements.
Over the years, as I’ve consulted with attorneys and their Medicare beneficiary clients, my definition of an “old” person has changed profoundly. Although many beneficiaries are significantly injured, they are resilient and often have inspiring attitudes. So when I filled out my online Medicare application this past November, I found myself genuinely looking forward to receiving my Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number in the mail. Stay tuned for tips as I begin mastering the art of being a Medicare beneficiary.
Written by: Rasa Fumagalli JD, MSCC, CMSP-F | Director of MSP Compliance at Synergy.
