January 2009 Bulletin, "Plan Sponsors and Medicare Mandatory Insurer Reporting"

Abstract

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued guidance on new data-reporting obligations for group health plans and their insurers and third party administrators (TPAs) that were effective January 1, 2009. The new data-reporting requirements are designed to facilitate coordination of benefits with Medicare. They will require insurers, TPAs and a plan administrator or fiduciary of a self-insured/self-administered group health plan to collect data - including Social Security Numbers (SSNs) or Health Insurance Claim Numbers - and electronically file the information with Medicare in accordance with rules established by CMS.

Self-insured, self-administered health plans must act quickly to either develop an electronic reporting capability or delegate the responsibility to an administrator. These plans should develop a compliance plan that sets forth their strategy for complying with the law and provides evidence of both good faith efforts and delegation of responsibility in case the plan is audited by CMS. Plans that are insured, or that are self-insured but not self-administered, do not have to report data to CMS. However, they may be contacted by their TPA or insurer and encouraged to begin collecting SSNs for dependents.

This Bulletin describes the "Responsible Reporting Entities" that must register with CMS to comply. Multiemployer plans that are fully insured would not have a reporting obligation. In addition, the Bulletin summarizes the registration deadlines, reportable information, the reporting process and penalties.

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