CMS delays mandatory liability claims reporting

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced it will delay by one year the mandatory reporting of certain liability claims data.

The submission of initial liability claims reports necessary to meet Medicare Secondary Payer requirements has been delayed to Jan. 1, 2012, from Jan. 1, 2011, for claims that do not involve ongoing medical responsibility.

The announcement is not the first time the U.S. government agency has delayed implementing Medicare Secondary Payer reporting requirements. In February, CMS said it would delay the reporting of liability claims from April 1, 2010, to Jan. 1, 2011.

Medicare Secondary Payer reporting requirements are intended to ensure Medicare remains the secondary payer when a Medicare beneficiary has medical expenses that should be paid primarily by a liability, no-fault or workers comp plan.