When Medicare is a Secondary Payer

Provider Type

  • Physicians
  • Participating Physician Groups (PPG)

  • Hospitals

Health Net works to coordinate member benefits with identified third-party payers, which may include private and government insurance plans. Medicare is generally the primary payer for a member unless the member's current situation dictates his or her private insurance plan is primary to Medicare, such as when the member is actively employed and covered by an employer group benefit plan. In such cases, and when Medicare has previously paid for services as the primary carrier, Medicare issues a Medicare secondary payer (MSP) recovery demand letter. The demand letter includes the participating provider liability claims and claims details and requests a refund from the employer directly and Health Net indirectly as the employer's designated health plan.

If Health Net determines that the MSP recovery demand contains provider liability claims, Health Net sends the provider's MSP contact a demand letter with detailed instructions for responding to the demand, a spreadsheet listing the claims, and a copy of all claims that require provider intervention. (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Secondary Manuals 100-05 Chapters 1-4)

Providers who have questions, contact the Health Net Provider Services Center or the Medicare Provider Services Center.