This week, President Obama signed the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as the stimulus bill.  There are components of this package that will directly affect the operation of the Social Security Administration in the short term with the distinct probability of a boon to those involved in and responsible for processing  Medicare Set-Aside , Medicare Secondary payer, and Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP Extension Act  (MMSEA)  functions within the next 3-5 years. Here's a brief summary of components relevant to SSA:

• Every beneficiary and recipient of Social Security benefits will receive a one-time $250 stimulus payment which are targeted to be issued by summer 2009.
• $90 million has been earmarked for the administrative costs associated with processing these one-time payments.
• $500 million is included so that SSA can process additional work they've received due to the economic slowdown.
• Assuming Congress passes the FY 2009 appropriations, SSA would like to hire between 5000-6000 more employees by year's end.
• $20 billion of this package will be utilized to improve health technology throughout  the Federal government. SSA is already piloting programs which would give them HIPAA compliant direct access to patient medical records.
• $500 million will be used specifically to replace the National Computer Center.  Upon completion of this 3-5 year project, anyone who interfaces with SSA will notice a significant improvement in overall  responsiveness and capabilities relating to SSA functions.  

MEDVAL 1-888-SET-ASIDE

Medicare Set-Aside Allocation/Arrangement Recommendations

Submissions to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Post-Settlement Administration

Pharmacy Benefit Management