Mention the term “Medicare Secondary Payer” to a risk manager and the reaction is always the same: “ARGH!”
Many risk managers are frustrated when navigating the complicated process of resolving claims for Medicare beneficiaries in situations where another party (such as a private insurer) is liable for the beneficiary's health care expenses. In these cases, the Medicare program first covers the patient's care but must be reimbursed after a settlement, judgment, award or other payment is made.
