MARC Coalition Holds Initial Meeting With CMS; Announces N...( Positive agency reception sets stage ...),Health

Positive agency reception sets stage for productive partnership

BALTIMORE, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC), a broad-based group to advocate for Medicare Secondary Payor reform, laid the groundwork for improving the Medicare Secondary Payor process following its inaugural meeting with officials from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

"Our purpose was to introduce MARC as an industry resource to CMS and offer to assist with compliance education as we move toward reform," said MARC co-chair Roy Franco, who also serves as director of risk management strategies for Safeway. "The meeting has set a very positive foundation for us to work together."

"Based on our discussion, we believe CMS sees MARC as a valuable resource," said MARC co-chair Katie Fox, who also serves as the manager of the Medicare Secondary Payor Compliance and Resolution Unit for MedInsights, Inc. "To that end, by the end of January, MARC will supply CMS with consolidated industry feedback on the latest reporting directives."

The group also announced new members that have joined the coalition, including: AON Global Risk Consulting; Brian Farrell Jr.; INGENIX; Delta Settlement Solutions; AIA; Kelly, Hockel & Klein P.C.; Genex; Publix Super Markets, Inc.; Swartz Campbell LLC; and, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company.

MARC's objectives are to:

• Ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive coordinated and uninterrupted coverage for claims involving secondary payer issues;
• Provide coordination, collaboration and communication among the member organizations regarding Medicare reimbursement and recovery policy;
• Formulate policy recommendations with respect to Medicare reimbursement and recovery procedures.
• Develop and implement a legislative and regulatory strategy to enhance Medicare re
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