Lake County Gazette

WASHINGTON — Congressmen Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced the Repair Abuses of MSP Payments (RAMP) Act to help end abuses in the Medicare system that create unfair, unnecessary, and costly financial claims.

 

The RAMP Act addresses a long-standing issue in the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) system, known as the "Private Cause of Action" provision. The outdated provision from 1986 allows persons who incur damages to bring a double damage lawsuit against an insurer and keep payments rather than returning them to the Medicare Trust Fund. Modernizing the antiquated provision would improve the MSP system and protect the Medicare program and beneficiaries by ensuring Medicare does not carry primary payment responsibility for a beneficiary's claim when another entity is responsible.

"Congress must guarantee that the Medicare Trust Fund is around to care for our seniors for generations to come. By modernizing the Medicare statute, the RAMP Act will ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can settle claims to allow others to pay instead of Medicare, protecting both our nation's seniors and the Medicare Trust Fund." said Congressman Schneider.

 

"I am committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure the long-term solvency of Medicare. As part of that effort, I am eager to streamline bureaucratic processes to eliminate costly and redundant claims that negatively impact the system. This modernization is long-overdue," said Congressman Bilirakis.

 

The "Private Cause of Action" provision became redundant in 2007, when Congress required that any entity paying a settlement, judgment, or award report the payment to Medicare.

Original source can be found here.