Torrance CA, April 8, 2009 -- Keenan & Associates, the largest privately held insurance brokerage and consulting firm in California, announced today that it has implemented the processes required to begin mandatory claims reporting on behalf of its workers’ compensation and liability clients to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The new reporting requirement goes into effect July 1, 2009 to comply with federal laws enacted in 2007.

Many public agencies will struggle to be in full compliance and avoid severe $1,000 per day/per claim fines. Keenan has developed the required reporting mechanisms for its clients and will be orienting them on the registration process beginning May 1, 2009.

“In the current economic environment, public agency fines for noncompliance could quickly mount into large budget deficits,” explained John Stephens, Senior Vice President for Keenan’s Property & Casualty practice. “Municipalities simply cannot afford to get behind on this requirement. We have been educating and preparing our clients procedurally for this mandatory reporting well in advance of the deadline.”

The new reporting is a result of the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) Extension Act of 2007 that required self-insured employers and insurers for workers’ compensation and liability to report specified claim information on Medicare beneficiaries to enable an appropriate determination concerning coordination of benefits, including any recovery claim.

Keenan provides workers’ compensation and liability claims administration programs designed specifically for California municipalities and governmental entities. Please contact John Stephens at 949-940-1760 x5161 for more information on meeting federal and state electronic reporting requirements and Keenan claims administration services.

About Keenan

Founded in 1972, Keenan is the 17th largest insurance brokerage firm in the United States, and the largest independent broker in California. Keenan is dedicated to providing superior insurance products and services to schools, community colleges, municipalities, and healthcare organizations that include employee benefits, third-party claims administration, workers' compensation, integrated disability, risk management, and property and liability. Keenan has a network of offices located throughout California and a staff of more than 650 insurance specialists. For more information, call 1-800-654-8102, 1-310-212-3344 or email info@keenan.com.  Visit our web site at www.keenan.com.