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24 J. Legal Econ. 29 (2018)
Medicare Set Asides

handle is hein.journals/jole24 and id is 38 raw text is: 



Paul R. Bjorklund. 2018. Medicare Set Asides. Journal of Legal Economics 24(1-2):
pp. 29-35.

Medicare Set Asides

Paul R. Bjorklund

Abstract: A Medicare Set Aside is   a financial arrangement whose
purpose is to protect Medicare's interests where future medical expenses
and prescription costs are involved. This article describes Medicare Set
Asides and their application to forensic economics engagements.


I.   Introduction

     When  a personal injury lawsuit ends, a number of financial issues
and considerations can come into play. For example, a plaintiffs
monetary  settlement could take the form of a structured annuity, or it
could be assigned to a special needs trust. There may be other
assignments, subrogation, and tax compliance issues as well.
     One particular litigation instrument that has received more
attention recently is a Medicare Set Aside (MSA). Although actual
funding of an MSA  is set in motion after the conclusion of the case, a
forensic economist can, at times, be asked to address an MSA and its
ramifications even before the lawsuit ends. This article provides a
general overview of MSAs  and their potential applications to a
forensic economics practice.


II.   The  Medicare   Set  Aside

     Enacted into law in 1965, the Medicare Amendment to the Social
Security Act  originally designated Medicare as primary payer of
medical expenses arising out of lawsuits. This changed in 1980, when
the Medicare Secondary  Payer Act (MSP)2  revised the status of
Medicare  from primary to secondary payer, thus placing responsibility
for payment  on liable parties first and on Medicare only afterwards.
More  recently, in 2007, reporting requirements were added for

Paul R. Bjorklund, CPA, Bjorklund Consulting, Ltd., 51355 N. 295th Avenue,
Wickenburg, Arizona 85390; (928) 310-8652; paulbjorklundgaol.com
1 Pub. L. no. 89-97, 79 Stat. 286 (1965)
2 Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980, Pub. L. no. 96-499, §953, 94 Stat. 2599
  (1980); 42 U.S.C. §1395 et seq. (2011)


Bjorklund: Medicare Set Asides


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