We work with clients and attorneys in California and around the country in creating structured settlements for medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, workers’ compensation, mass torts and construction defect cases as well as for non-physical injury cases and attorney fees–all at no cost to the client.
Read the full story »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will soon introduce a web-based tool called Medicare Secondary Payer Recovery Portal (MSPRP) to help in submitting and obtaining information related to Medicare conditional payment recoveries (Medicare liens). Run by Medicare Secondary Payer Recovery Contractor (MSPRC), MSPRC is the contactor used by Medicare to manage conditional payment reimbursements, disputes and demands. Currently, the process to determine what amount (if any) Medicare had previously paid on a claim takes several months. If there is a dispute or appeal of Medicare’s assertion, it can add several more months to the process.
Users will be able to use the portal to submit information and access services online:
• Submit proof of representation or consent to release documentation
• Request conditional payment information
• Dispute claims included in a conditional payment letter
• Submit case settlement information
If all works as intended, the new portal could significantly decrease turnaround times for almost all aspects of the MSPRC conditional payment letter process, which means parties will be able to settle sooner and with better information. The portal is projected to go live July 2012.
For more information, visit the MSPRC at www.msprc.info.
Thanks to John Gunter, executive VP at MEDVAL, for bringing this to my attention.
Reach him at: www.medval.com (http://www NULL.medval NULL.com) www.medicaresetasideblog.com (http://www NULL.medicaresetasideblog NULL.com) • jgun...@medval.com (jgunter null@null medval NULL.com)
Tax-Deferred Structures Getting Noticed
Attorneys are beginning to look beyond cases typically targeted for structured settlements and recommending the settlement option to clients in a number of non-traditional, non-physical injury recoveries. These settlements are structured in a similar manner as physical injury case recoveries with the primary difference being that physical injury recoveries are tax-free while non-physical injury recoveries are partially or fully taxable over time. Taxes owed on the interest earned from the settlement proceeds can be deferred until settlement funds are actually withdrawn. Read the full story »
Settling a case can be a cumbersome, time consuming and a frustrating experience for all parties. When the complexities of public-benefit programs such as Medicare and Medi-Cal are added to the settlement mix, it’s no wonder plaintiff attorneys seek assistance in understand¬ing the necessary legal measures required to ensure their settlements comply with the law and protects their client’s current and future interests.
Structured settlements and the laws governing them are ever-changing. Issues like how they are taxed, when they can be used, and whether they can be sold seem to be in a near constant state of flux. For plaintiff trial lawyers who are charged with properly advising their clients regarding settlement of their cases, this instability can be disconcerting, to say the least.
“For 30 years, structured settlements have provided injured people with long-term financial security and special tax benefits. How these settlements are used and funded is constantly evolving. Make sure you know all the options so you can build the best structure for your client.”
Plaintiff attorneys face unique challenges when serving the needs of the injured elder population – those over the youthful age of sixty-four.
One difficult issue is that many elders qualify for and utilize needs-based public benefits like Supplemental Security Income
Structured settlements are tax efficient and can have asset protection and spendthrift advantages too. Like other tax deferral ideas, their results are more impressive the longer their term and the slower they pay out. They aren’t for everyone, and you shouldn’t structure every nickel you receive. Once they are set up, they generally can’t be changed.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has just issued revised timelines for Mandatory Insurer Reporting. The CMS announced the new implementation timelines for reporting claims under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act (Section 111) in a November 9, 2010 memo.
The ads are everywhere–online, on radio and on TV. They offer quick cash for structured settlement annuities–court-ordered payment structures that are designed to provide a steady, reliable and tax-free stream of income to injured parties. The ads are particularly tempting during these hard economic times.
The recent life and death of a jury award recipient(Schulman) is a tragic but sobering reminder of how lump sum awards or settlements can be squandered. was a homeless man when an 18-wheel truck ran over his legs.
Owner Scott Morton’s brother, Glenn, an avid tennis player and instructor, was the victim of an automobile accident in 2005. His family was told Glenn would never speak or walk again. Without the care of doctors, nurses, therapists, rehab staff and the care he receives at home, Scott believes his brother would never have made the great progress that he now enjoys. Scott created H3Assist to deliver the same kind of quality in-home care received by his brother.
(http://www NULL.patrickfarber NULL.com/ads/PatrickFarberBuildingBlocksOfFinancialSecurity NULL.pdf)
(http://www NULL.linkedin NULL.com/pub/patrick-farber/13/633/125)
(http://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/pages/edit/?id=122829574413116#!/pages/Patrick-Farber-Structured-Settlement-Brokers-patrickfarbercom/122829574413116)
(http://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/user/patrickfarber)
(http://www NULL.patrickfarber NULL.com/micra NULL.php)
(http://www NULL.nssta NULL.com)
(http://www NULL.MADD NULL.org)
