(NEW YORK) December 20, 2012 – RIMS, the Risk Management Society™, External Affairs Committee Board Liaison Daniel H. Kugler today commended the United States House of Representatives for their work to pass the SMART Act.  Approved by a vote of 401-3, the bipartisan legislation streamlines the reporting process for insurers, self-insurers and nongroup health insurers, who are secondary payers, where there is a settlement with a Medicare beneficiary.

“With so few days remaining in Congress before the end of the year, it was a major victory for the risk and insurance industry to see this important piece of legislation approved by the House,” said Mr. Kugler.  “We encourage the Senate to follow stride and pass this crucial bill that would allow secondary payers who are settling claims to more efficiently repay the Medicare Trust Fund and avoid potentially high fines.”

The SMART Act was attached to HR 1845 which provides Medicare coverage for the in-home administration of intravenous immune globulin.  The bill now moves to the Senate for review.

The entire bill can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/c4bsumo.