Kansas City, Missouri – Kevin McManus, the founding lawyer of Kevin McManus Law, was recently featured in an in-depth interview with investigative reporter Matt Flener. The segment focuses on the critical yet often misunderstood topic of Medicare lien-subrogation, highlighting its profound impact on personal injury settlements.

Medicare lien-subrogation is a legal process that allows the federal health program to recover funds it has spent on medical care for an individual injured in an accident when that individual receives a settlement from a personal injury case. Essentially, if Medicare pays for a beneficiary’s medical expenses, it has the right to seek reimbursement from any settlement or judgment that the beneficiary receives related to those expenses.

This complex process can significantly reduce the amount an injured party receives, as demonstrated in the case of Paul Silverman. Mr. Silverman faced a $40,000 reimbursement by his Medicare Advantage plan after being injured in an accident. Mr. Silverman was riding his scooter when a 17-year-old driver struck him in Prairie Village in 2023. Though he was not at fault, he spent three nights in the ICU recovering from his injuries.

When Mr. Silverman attempted to settle with the 17-year-old’s insurance company, he learned that Medicare’s subrogation claim drastically affected his compensation. Despite securing a $50,000 settlement, he ultimately received only about $9,000 after Medicare’s claim was processed. This case emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications of Medicare lien-subrogation for individuals pursuing personal injury claims. McManus emphasizes the need for injured parties to be aware of their rights and the potential impact of Medicare’s claims on their settlements.

“Some health insurance plans, including Medicare, have the right to be reimbursed from a settlement for an injury claim. It’s important to review the terms of your health insurance to understand your rights,” said McManus. “Our law office helps our clients with this. In most cases, we obtain reductions, and this maximizes what our clients ultimately receive from the settlement.”

The interview aims to educate the public on the intricacies of Medicare subrogation and the importance of legal representation in navigating these challenges. To watch the full interview, tune in to KMBC News.