Lien Acronyms
***NEWSLETTER***
Time for a cheat Sheet!
Does lien resolution have its own language? Not really, but the same terms come up again and again, leading to the use of acronyms by attorneys, plans and recovery agents. We have compiled a list of frequently encountered acronyms found in lien/reimbursement cases to help you move through the lien dialect more efficiently.
LPN – Lien Project Network (lienprojectnetwork.com)
3040 – California Civil Code § 3040 (Common-und reductions)
3045 – California Civil Code § 3045 et seq. (Hospital Liens / HLA)
G.C. 985 – California Government Code § 985 (County Medical Services Recovery)
ACA – Affordable Care Act
BCRC – Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center (CMS contractor for Medicare recovery)
BLBA – Black Lung Benefits Act
CRC – Commercial Repayment Center (CMS contractor pursuing recovery from group‑health plans or insurers)
CMS – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Federal agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid)
CalPERS – California Public Employees’ Retirement System
CalSTRS – California State Teachers’ Retirement System
CLJA – Camp Lejeune Justice Act
CMS‑County – County Medical Services (State-local program)
DBA – Defense Base Act
DHCS – California Department of Health Care Services (Medi‑Cal management)
EOB – Explanation of Benefits
EOC – Evidence of Coverage
ERISA – Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
ERISA SF – Self‑Funded ERISA plans (Not insured)
FECA – Federal Employees Compensation Act
FEHBA – Federal Employees Health Benefits Act of 1959
FELA – Federal Employers Liability Act
GEHA – Government Employees Health Association
HLA – Hospital Lien Act (California, same as CC 3045 et seq.)
LHWCA – Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
LMSA – Liability Medicare Set‑Aside (For PI/liability cases, distinguished from WCMSA)
MAO – Medicare Advantage Organization
MCRA – Medical Care Recovery Act (California statute governing Medi‑Cal liens)
MPD – Master Plan Document (ERISA plan document)
MSA – Medicare Set‑Aside (General term)
PA – Plan Administrator (Named fiduciary of an ERISA plan)
SB&C – Summary of Benefits & Coverage (Required under ACA)
SPA – Secondary Payer Act (Medicare Secondary Payer statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1395y)
SPD – Summary Plan Description (Required ERISA document)
TPC – Third‑Party Carrier (Liability insurer in PI claims)
TPL - Third-Party Liability
VA – Veterans Affairs
AWP – Average Wholesale Price (Used for drug cost calculation, relevant to Part D/set‑asides)
CWF – Common Working File (CMS system that tracks beneficiary claims and enrollment)
COB – Coordination of Benefits (Process by which Medicare identifies other primary payers)
MMSEA (MIR) – Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 / Mandatory Insurer Reporting (AKA Section 111 Reporting)
MSP – Medicare Secondary Payer (Medicare position when primary payment is required from another entity)
MSPRP – Medicare Secondary Payer Recovery Portal (Online tool for requesting Final CP and tracking recovery)
NGHP – Non‑Group Health Plan (Liability, no‑fault, workers’ compensation—the plans subject to Section 111 reporting)
ORM – Ongoing Responsibility for Medicals (Reporting for future care; identifies ongoing care responsibility)
RRE – Responsible Reporting Entity (The insurer or entity required to report the claim under MMSEA)
SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance
HICN / MBI – Former Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN), replaced by random‑generated Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) per MACRA/SMART Act
Explore More Resources with Lien Project Network
For a deeper dive into lien resolution strategies, settlement planning, and reimbursement challenges, explore our educational modules. Lien Project Network serves as a trusted resource for plaintiff attorneys, providing insights on financial planning, public benefits, and structured settlements in the context of lien management.
Need Assistance? Work With The Lien Project, PC
If you need expert legal assistance in navigating lien resolution, reimbursement claims, or settlement planning, our team at The Lien Project, PC is ready to help. As an LPN member, you earn credits that can be applied toward lien reduction and resolution services provided by The Lien Project, PC, allowing you to offset up to $900 per year. Your investment in continuing education through Lien Project Network not only enhances your lien resolution skills but also reduces the cost of engaging legal experts when needed.
Schedule a Consult today to see how we can help maximize your client’s recovery.