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Why does Medicare take so long to give out lien recovery information?

A: Right now it appears that the recovery center for Medicare is a mess. When Medicare pays bills on a personal injury claim, a super lien is placed on the file. Many insurance companies will not pay on a settlement unless and until they know what Medicare is due back. This process is lengthy and cumbersome. I have waited up to 9 months to find out lien information on paybacks of as little as $100!

Sometimes it helps when the client contacts his U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator. All of these office holders have Medicare liasions which can assist in the process.

A bill was introduced last year which would have required Medicare to get lien information to the claimant within 60 days after a $60 payment. If the information is not forthcoming within that time, Medicare's right to recovery is waived. What happened to that bill, I'm not sure but it will come up again.

This process is ridiculous right now. It has to change.