News

September 01, 2011

As the Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside (WCMSA) submission process is currently implemented, CMS only accepts WCMSA proposals via regular mail.  All necessary materials must be scanned into PDF format, put onto a compact disc, and mailed to the Workers’ Compensation Review Contractor.  Once the contractor receives the WCMSA proposal, it must upload the information into its system before it is assigned for review.  CMS takes over six months to issue a determination under the current submission procedure.  Presently, CMS is in the late stages of allowing registered users to submit WCMSA proposals electronically.  This protocol will significantly reduce the timeline from submission to final decision.

Our Medicare department recently attended a limited-admission CMS training session for this new Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside Portal.

Online submission is not required and vendors may continue to utilize traditional submission methods. However, Wiedner & McAuliffe remains committed to the most efficient methods to ensure our clients receive timely approval of WCMSA proposals.  We will be making full use of the online submission process.  CMS anticipates that the WCMSA Portal will begin operation in the fall of 2011.  This portal is only for MSA submission; it is not for conditional payment inquiry/resolution and is not for reporting. Nonetheless, the web based portal, by allowing WCMSA proposals to be submitted online, should significantly reduce the time associated with review/approval.