The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced on February 16, 2010, that it will extend the deadline for reporting requirements under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act from April 1, 2010 to January 1, 2011. The news provides welcome relief for property and casualty insurers who have been working diligently to meet the new reporting requirements amidst significant uncertainties in implementation.

In addition, the HHS promised it will release during the week of February 22 the next version of its User Guide as well as provide an alert that describes the steps that reporting entities can take to assure their ongoing compliance with the new reporting requirements.