Speaking and Publishing Resource Guide

Transcription

1 Speaking and Publishing Resource Guide

2 Contents Speaking Engagements... Page 3 Publications... Page 4 Speakers Biographies Matt Garretson... Page 6 Jason Wolf... Page 7 Sylvius Von Saucken... Page 8 John Cattie... Page 9 Tate Johnson... Page 10 Libby Vish... Page 11 Marlene Wilson... Page 12 Mike Russell... Page 13 Projects and Experience... Page 14 Q & A... Page 15 2

3 Speaking Engagements Looking for a speaker? Garretson Resolution Group (GRG) attorneys and subject matter experts speak at numerous Continuing Legal Education (CLE) events each year. Below is a listing of our most commonly presented topics contact Marketing Coordinator Meghan Abney at or mabney@garretsongroup.com. GRG Resolution & Compliance Summary Medicare Set Asides (MSAs) Dealing with misinformation What is a MSA and when it is necessary? MSAs in Workers Compensation Cases Use and propriety of MSAs in Liability Settlements (separating facts from the urban legends) Toolbox for MSAs o Evaluation o Cutting edge technology Trends to watch Medicare and Medicaid Compliance Reimbursement of conditional payments (strategies and practice tips) Identifying the issues, including Medicaid issues specific to your state (and trends in other states) Systemizing procedures Ethics of lien resolution outsourcing Needs-based benefit preservation Asbestos Lien Resolution MMSEA (Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007) o Uniformity of data exchange o New standards, how the MMSEA is affecting all settlements o CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) guidance o Unique issues for various types of settlements: Med Mal, Nursing Home, Asbestos, etc. o Strategies and practice tips to assist firms in efficiently dealing with healthcare liens Addressing ERISA and Private Healthcare Liens Case updates, common traps and pitfalls rizon Medicare Advantage / HMO Common misunderstandings about these plans rights of recovery Resolving Claims & Mass Torts Mechanisms for coordinating a national strategy Achieving global resolutions MMSEA issues Lien Resolution, Claims Administration, Fund Administration 3

4 Publications Listed below are a sample of recent articles and whitepapers available for publication. To download, please visit our online library at If you are interested in publishing one of the works below in your journal or magazine please contact Sr. Marketing Manager Erin Hively at or ehively@garretsongroup.com. The Use and Propriety of Medicare Set Asides in Liability Settlements August 2011 Mandatory Insurer Reporting where Medicare is a Secondary Payer December 2010 GRG frequently publishes short practice tips and client alerts which provide valuable insights into current developments and are ideal for newsletters, listserves and blogs where space is limited. Visit our website for a complete listing of these publications and us to be added to our distribution list. 4

5 Recently Published Negotiating and Settling Tort Cases By Matt Garretson AAJ Press, 2008 Matt Garretson has crafted an entire volume of this two-volume treatise entitled, Negotiating and Settling Tort Cases, published by AAJ/Thomson West. Matt's volume on Settlement includes important and timely tips on minimizing liens (Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Health Insurance) in the post Sereboff and Alhborn era in cases that involve significant permanent injuries, comparative fault, pre-existing injuries, policy limits, and other confounding factors. Do you know what defenses, compromises, waivers, or offsets are available to your client when addressing liens in the post Sereboff and Alhborn era? Do you know when you are required to establish a Medicare Set Aside Account? Given the everchanging nature of the landscape related to government benefits, do you know your obligations as plaintiff's counsel? Learn how to be in compliance with your and your client's affirmative duties related to government benefits (liens, Medicare Set Asides, special needs trusts). Vol. II Table of Contents: Counseling Clients About The Form Of Settlement A Model Approach To Client Counseling And Settling A Personal Injury Case Understanding Government Benefits Liens And Subrogation Trusts & Other Third Party Fiduciary Applications Structured Settlements Taxation Of Personal Injury Settlements Settlement Related Probate Issues And A Word About Bankruptcies 468b Qualified Settlement Funds Mass Tort Settlement Your Fee Agreement And Case Expenses: What Fees And Expenses May Be Charged To The Client And Other Suggestions For Timely Updates For more information or to learn how to obtain this valuable resource, please visit Thomson West. Easing Healthcare Lien Resolution Trial Magazine, October

6 Biography Matthew L. Garretson Attorney at Law, Founder Matt Garretson is the founding partner of GRG, which provides mass tort/class action settlement allocation and fund administration services. The company also handles Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement claims, government benefit strategies, and probate administration for individual and mass tort plaintiffs. He received his BA from Yale University and his law degree at Kentucky's Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Matt is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education responsibilities - including liens and reimbursement claims - in individual and mass tort settlements. He has spoken about these issues at over 100 seminars sponsored by numerous state trial lawyer and state bar associations, The America Bar Association, The American Association for Justice, and other organizations. Furthermore, Matt is the author of a legal text book published by West Publishing entitled Negotiating and Settling Tort Cases. In addition, he has authored several articles regarding professional responsibility in individual and mass tort settlements that have been published in many national, state as well as international publications. In 2005, Loyola University Journal of Public Interest Law published an article he authored entitled "A Practical Approach to Avoiding Conflicts of Interest in Aggregate Matt has served as adjunct professor at Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where he teaches law practice management and emphasizes how to avoid professional liability claims. Matt serves as the special master and/or administrator of settlement funds throughout the country in many product liability, civil rights and church-related sexual abuse matters. His role in numerous high profile church-related sexual abuse and civil rights settlements (including the historic Cincinnati police brutality/racial profiling settlement) led to his selection by Lawyers Weekly as 1 of 5 "Lawyers of the Year" in Ohio for He was nominated by his peers and selected as an Ohio Super Lawyer - Rising Star in 2005 and His work was featured in the LA Times in January Trial Journal, New York State Trial Lawyers Institute Bill of Particulars, Texas Trial Lawyers Briefcase Online, New Jersey Association of Trial Lawyers In Brief, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association The ssues at seminars sponsored by numerous state trial lawyer and state bar xis) and Mass Torts Made Perfect. 6

7 Biography Jason Wolf President management experience role in pioneering the field of third party Medicare Compliance in both single event and mass tort settlement programs over eight years ago. By identifying the needs of the settlement community and designing proprietary work flow processes, methodologies and systems, GRG built a practice that now employs nearly 200 professionals to serve its national client base. Jason takes great pride in the company's leading position of recognizing issues in the changing landscape of with federal agencies, all state agencies, private health care plans and third party recovery contractors has assisted in the firm's success in facilitating fair agreements between interested parties (plaintiff, plaintiff counsel, defense, health care plan). GRG serves clients nationwide to ensure compliance with federal, state, military and private health care plans by defining and resolving obl dozens of settlements. GRG is the court appointed lien resolution administrator in the 60,000 claimant / $4.5 billion Vioxx settlement program. Jason has lectured to attorney and healthcare organizations, conferences and associations on compensation settlements and compliant use of Medicare set-aside funds. Jason earned his graduate and undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University. 7

8 Biography Sylvius von Saucken Attorney at Law, Chief Compliance Officer Sylvius H. von Saucken, an estate, tax and probate attorney, joined GRG in Benefits Preservation Group since November, 2006, and now leads its national Probate and Bankruptcy Coordination benefit preservation strategies. He has extensive experience in complex planning issues, individual income tax matters and elder law issues, as they relate to settling claimants and other parties. Sylvius received his BA in Diplomacy / Foreign Affairs & Political Science from Miami University (OH) and his law degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where he has served as an adjunct professor, co-teaching courses in Federal Wealth Transfer Taxation and Estate Planning. Over the past few years, Sylvius has spoken before the Cleveland Bar Association on Medicare Set-Asides, at the annual convention for the National Association of Medicare Set-Aside Professionals on the topic of Qualified Settlement Funds, and at various seminars presented by the Ohio Association for Justice on topics ranging from Medicaid lien strategies and resolution to special needs trusts, government benefit preservation strategies and taxation of settlements. In 2007, Sylvius spoke at the annual conventions for both the National Structured Settlement Trade Association and the Society of Settlement Planners about the consequences of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 on structured settlement annuities for long-term Medicaid beneficiaries. In 2008, Sylvius focused his speaking engagements on Medicaid Lien Resolution, Medicare Secondary Payer issues, as well as taxation of settlements and Medicare Set Aside compliance issues. This year, Sylvius will be focusing on Medicare insurance companies involved in settlements, as well as other government medical recovery programs (i.e. Veterans Administration and Tricare). In his capacity as Chief Compliance development and training initiatives and provides Set Aside custodial company, Affiance Partners, LLC. 8

9 Biography John Cattie Attorney at Law, Future Cost of Care Lead Consultant John heads the Future Cost of Care practice at GRG. In his role, John counsels attorneys nationwide with respect to Medicare compliance under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. In particular, he advises attorneys on the applicability and use of Medicare Set-Asides (MSAs) as a part of -fault settlements. John received his BA in International Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997, and his JD/MBA from Villanova University in Licensed to practice law in North Carolina and South Carolina, John is a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar, the North Carolina Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Serving as a neutral third party with respect to Medicare compliance, John is a member of AAJ, WILG, NAMSAP and DRI. John also serves as a committee member of the DRI Medicare Secondary Payer Task Force. 9

10 Biography Tate Johnson Attorney at Law, Director of Client Development In his role at GRG, Tate leads a group of professionals who are responsible for educating law firms around the country on the topic of healthcare compliance. Tate and his team meet with firms to evaluate their current process for identifying and resolving healthcare obligations, and implements new strategies in order to minimize post settlement delays, protect healthcare benefits, and Tate regularly speaks on the topic of healthcare compliance to trial lawyers across the country. A partial list of recent speaking engagements includes: Ohio Association for Justice 2011, Inner Circle of Advocates 2011, American Association for Justice 2011, and Kentucky Justice Association Tate is a member of the American Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, Cincinnati Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and Ohio Association for Justice (Trustee). Tate has a degree in Finance from The Ohio State University, as well as a law degree from Roger Williams University School of Law. Before joining GRG in 2008, Tate worked as an auditor and business consultant for two international consulting firms. 10

11 Biography Libby Vish Attorney at Law, Director of Mass Tort Compliance Libby joined GRG in November 2006 and serves as the Director of Mass Tort Compliance. In her role, Libby assesses new projects to assist clients in determining the appropriate scope of service, resources and materials to ensure the proper level of healthcare compliance is achieved. She can address all aspects mass tort healthcare compliance. As an attorney with GRG, Libby has extensive experience with Medicaid matters as they relate to Medicaid Recovery and works closely with the Single Event Lien Resolution Group. She is a member of both the Kentucky and North Carolina Bar Associations. Libby received her BS in Marketing and BA in Political Science from Miami University (OH) and her JD from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law. While in law school, Libby worked for the Justice Martin Johnstone (ret.) of the Kentucky Supreme Court and the late Justice McAnulty, of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. 11

12 Biography Marlene Wilson Director of MMSEA Compliance Marlene joined GRG in April 2009 to lead the Medicare, Medicaid & SCHIP Extension Act (MMSEA) practice. Under Marlene's direction, GRG provides clients with an efficient and secure method for providers of liability insurance (including self-insurance), nocompensation insurance to determine the Medicareentitlement of all claimants and report certain information about those claims to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, allowing clients to focus on case management rather than reporting compliance. Marlene started her career as a CPA and spent seven years with an international public accounting firm. Marlene left public accounting to become the Tax Manager and later the Director of Insurance for an international manufacturing company. Her next position was Vice President in the Insurable Risk Department at Bank of America. Before joining GRG, Marlene was the Vice President of Risk Management for Compass Group, an $8 billion food service Arts degree with a concentration in music from the University of South Dakota and attended the University of Texas at Austin with a concentration in accounting. Marlene received her Certified Public Accountancy certificate in Texas. She also holds professional certification as an Associate in Risk Management. 12

13 Biography Mike Russell Attorney at Law, Lead Attorney Private Lien Resolution Counsel. His responsibilities include educating attorneys on the obligations and related issues that may arise with regard to private liens, evaluating plans of benefit providers, and working with a team of GRG analysts to negotiate and resolve private health care liens. versed in dealing with subrogation and reimbursement actions involving ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act), FEHBA (Federal Employees Health Benefit Act), Supplemental Medicare/Medicaid, Workers Compensation, and other governmental liens. Upon joining GRG in September of 2008, Michael provided Qualified Settlement Fund (QSF) services for the firm including fund establishment and managerial oversight of fund administration. In addition, he provided research and drafting assistance with respect to settlement taxation, government benefits, and lien resolution. While he took over his new position in September of 2009, he continues to be involved with the Claims Administration department and provide guidance with regard to the use and administration of QSFs. Michael earned his undergraduate degree in History from the University of Notre Dame and his JD from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Michael interned at the United States Tax Court in Washington, D.C. and with the City of Cincinnati Law Department. 13

14 Projects and Experience GRG has the resources to handle the biggest settlements, as well as the compassion, skill, and discretion to handle the most delicate and sensitive matters. We verify processes disbursements. In these capacities, we serve as a neutral resource to help the parties objectively facilitate their agreed upon settlement goals and procedures. A partial listing of recent high-profile multiple-claimant projects includes: 14

15 Q&A Q: What does it cost to have a GRG attorney or subject matter expert speak at a CLE event? A: We do not charge or accept payment for speaking at seminars and CLEs. Also, all travel expenses for speakers will be paid by GRG. Q: What materials will you provide to our attendees? A: We provide various materials for attendees to reference throughout our presentations, Q: How do I request a speaker? A: All speaking requests are processed through our Marketing Department. Please send all speaking requests to Marketing Coordinator Meghan Abney at or mabney@garretsongroup.com. Q: Do you promote your services while you speak? A: No, we do not speak about our services, rather we educate on statutory, regulatory and administrative guidance regarding specific topics. We present practical solutions for dealing with various issues. Q: Do you support reform efforts like the SMART act? A: Yes, we have provided MARC as well as other entities with data and insights regarding our experiences, which are very valuable to their efforts. 15

16 Cincinnati 7775 Cooper Rd. Cincinnati, OH fax Charlotte 2115 Rexford Rd., 4 th Fl. Charlotte, NC Fax