Medicare Blog

how to determine first payer for medicare

by Lyda Wilderman Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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When you have both Medicare and an employer-sponsored health plan, Medicare will pay first only in certain circumstances. The decision is based on your age, whether you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or another disability, and how many people work for your employer.

If the employer has 20 or more employees, then the group health plan pays first, and Medicare pays second . If the employer has fewer than 20 employees and isn't part of a multi-employer or multiple employer group health plan, then Medicare pays first, and the group health plan pays second .

Full Answer

Who pays first Medicare?

You also may be asked for additional information, like:

  • Your Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Address
  • Medicare effective date (s)
  • Whether you have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage

Does Medicare get billed first?

Medicare will be billed first, then your supplement plan will be billed second. Does Medicare send claims to your Medicare Supplement insurance? Yes, all claims will be sent to Medicare first, then Medicare will bill the remainder to your Medicare Supplement carrier .

Who pays first Medicare chart?

Primary payers must pay a claim first. Medicare pays first for patients who don’t have other primary insurance or coverage. In certain situations, Medicare pays first when the patient has other insurance coverage. Table 1 lists common situations when a patient has Medicare, other health plan coverage, and which entity pays first (primary ...

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How do you determine which insurance is primary?

If you have coverage under a plan from your employer in addition to a spouse's or parent's plan, your own plan will be primary and the other plan will be secondary. This is also true if the additional coverage is with TRICARE or Medicaid, as those plans are always the secondary insurer if you have other coverage.

Who determines if Medicare is primary?

Medicare is primary when your employer has less than 20 employees. Medicare will pay first and then your group insurance will pay second. If this is your situation, it's important to enroll in both parts of Original Medicare when you are first eligible for coverage at age 65.

What Medicare rules determine which payer will be the primary payer and which will be the secondary payer?

Medicare and employer-sponsored healthcare plans Medicare is generally the secondary payer if your employer has 20 or more employees. When you work for a company with fewer than 20 employees, Medicare will be the primary payer. The same rules apply to employer-sponsored coverage you get through a spouse.

How do you know if Medicare is primary or secondary?

Medicare is always primary if it's your only form of coverage. When you introduce another form of coverage into the picture, there's predetermined coordination of benefits. The coordination of benefits will determine what form of coverage is primary and what form of coverage is secondary.

Which insurance is primary when you have two?

If you have two plans, your primary insurance is your main insurance. Except for company retirees on Medicare, the health insurance you receive through your employer is typically considered your primary health insurance plan.

How do you make Medicare primary?

Making Medicare Primary. If you're in a situation where you have Medicare and some other health coverage, you can make Medicare primary by dropping the other coverage. Short of this, though, there's no action you can take to change Medicare from secondary to primary payer.

Who is considered a 2nd party payer?

A secondary payer means the plan, insurance policy or program that pays second on a claim for medical care and their payment is only to the extent that payment has not been made. A secondary payer may be either a medicare, medicaid, or other insurance depending on the situation.

What is a primary payer?

Primary payers are those that have the primary responsibility for paying a claim. Medicare remains the primary payer for beneficiaries who are not covered by other types of health insurance or coverage. Medicare is also the primary payer in certain instances, provided several conditions are met.

When Medicare is secondary payer?

The one that pays second (secondary payer) only pays if there are costs the primary insurer didn't cover. The secondary payer (which may be Medicare) may not pay all the remaining costs. If your group health plan or retiree coverage is the secondary payer, you may need to enroll in Medicare Part B before they'll pay.

Does Medicare automatically forward claims to secondary insurance?

If a Medicare member has secondary insurance coverage through one of our plans (such as the Federal Employee Program, Medex, a group policy, or coverage through a vendor), Medicare generally forwards claims to us for processing.

Does Medicare coverage start the month you turn 65?

The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month. If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65.

Is Medicare Part D always primary?

Usually Medicare Part D coverage pays first. For example: Are you retired and have prescription drug coverage through your or your spouse's former employer's or union's retiree Group Health Plan and Medicare Part D coverage? If so, your Medicare Part D coverage is primary and the Group Health Plan is secondary.

When Can Medicare be a secondary payer?

Medicare may be the secondary payer when: a person has a GHP through their own or a spouse's employment, and the employer has more than 20 employees. a person is disabled and covered by a GHP through an employer with more than 100 employees.

What organization is responsible for overseeing Medicare?

The federal agency that oversees CMS, which administers programs for protecting the health of all Americans, including Medicare, the Marketplace, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Does Medicare automatically forward claims to secondary insurance?

If a Medicare member has secondary insurance coverage through one of our plans (such as the Federal Employee Program, Medex, a group policy, or coverage through a vendor), Medicare generally forwards claims to us for processing.

Will secondary pay if primary denies?

If your primary insurance denies coverage, secondary insurance may or may not pay some part of the cost, depending on the insurance. If you do not have primary insurance, your secondary insurance may make little or no payment for your health care costs.

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