1. It is the intent of the general assembly that a Medicaid payor be the payor of last resort for medical services furnished to recipients. All other sources of payment for medical services are primary relative to medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor. If benefits of a third party are discovered or become available after medical assistance has been provided by the Medicaid payor, it is the intent of the general assembly that the Medicaid payor be repaid in full and prior to any other person, program, or entity. The Medicaid payor shall be repaid in full from and to the extent of any third-party benefits, regardless of whether a recipient is made whole or other creditors are paid.
lawyer at desk

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 249A.54

  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Child: includes but shall not be limited to a stepchild, foster child, or legally adopted child and means a child actually or apparently under eighteen years of age, and a dependent person eighteen years of age or over who is unable to maintain the person's self and is likely to become a public charge. See Iowa Code 252A.2
  • clerk: means clerk of the court in which the action or proceeding is brought or is pending; and the words "clerk's office" mean the office of that clerk. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
  • Court: shall mean and include any court upon which jurisdiction has been conferred to determine the liability of persons for the support of dependents. See Iowa Code 252A.2
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Department: means the department of health and human services. See Iowa Code 249A.2
  • Department: means the department of health and human services. See Iowa Code 249L.2
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Internet: means the federated international system that is composed of allied electronic communication networks linked by telecommunication channels, that uses standardized protocols, and that facilitates electronic communication services, including but not limited to use of the world wide web; the transmission of electronic mail or messages; the transfer of files and data or other electronic information; and the transmission of voice, image, and video. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Internet site: means a specific location on the internet that is determined by internet protocol numbers, by a domain name, or by both, including but not limited to domain names that use the designations ". See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Lawsuit: A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Medicaid: means payment of all or part of the costs of the care and services made in accordance with Tit. See Iowa Code 249A.2
  • Medicaid program: means the program established under this chapter to provide medical assistance. See Iowa Code 249A.2
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Party: means a petitioner, a respondent, or a person who intervenes in a proceeding instituted under this chapter. See Iowa Code 252A.2
  • person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
  • Provider: means an individual, firm, corporation, association, or institution which is providing or has been approved to provide medical assistance to recipients under this chapter. See Iowa Code 249A.2
  • Recipient: means a person who receives medical assistance under this chapter. See Iowa Code 249A.2
  • Rule: includes "regulation". See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
  • Trust account: A general term that covers all types of accounts in a trust department, such as estates, guardianships, and agencies. Source: OCC
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.
  • year: means twelve consecutive months. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. For the purposes of this section:

 a. “Collateral” means all of the following:

 (1) Any and all causes of action, suits, claims, counterclaims, and demands that accrue to the recipient or to the recipient’s agent, related to any covered injury or illness, or medical services that necessitated that the Medicaid payor provide medical assistance to the recipient.
 (2) All judgments, settlements, and settlement agreements rendered or entered into and related to such causes of action, suits, claims, counterclaims, demands, or judgments.
 (3) Proceeds.
 b. “Covered injury or illness” means any sickness, injury, disease, disability, deformity, abnormality disease, necessary medical care, pregnancy, or death for which a third party is, may be, could be, should be, or has been liable, and for which the Medicaid payor is, or may be, obligated to provide, or has provided, medical assistance.
 c. “Medicaid payor” means the department or any person, entity, or organization that is legally responsible by contract, statute, or agreement to pay claims for medical assistance including but not limited to managed care organizations and other entities that contract with the state to provide medical assistance under chapter 249A.
 d. “Medical service” means medical or medically related institutional or noninstitutional care, or a medical or medically related institutional or noninstitutional good, item, or service covered by Medicaid.
 e. “Payment” as it relates to third-party benefits, means performance of a duty, promise, or obligation, or discharge of a debt or liability, by the delivery, provision, or transfer of third-party benefits for medical services. “To pay” means to make payment.
 f. “Proceeds” means whatever is received upon the sale, exchange, collection, or other disposition of the collateral or proceeds from the collateral and includes insurance payable because of loss or damage to the collateral or proceeds. “Cash proceeds” include money, checks, and deposit accounts and similar proceeds. All other proceeds are “noncash proceeds”.
 g. “Recipient” means a person who has applied for medical assistance or who has received medical assistance.
 h. “Recipient’s agent” includes a recipient’s legal guardian, legal representative, or any other person acting on behalf of the recipient.
 i. “Third party” means an individual, entity, or program, excluding Medicaid, that is or may be liable to pay all or a part of the expenditures for medical assistance provided by a Medicaid payor to the recipient. A third party includes but is not limited to all of the following:

 (1) A third-party administrator.
 (2) A pharmacy benefits manager.
 (3) A health insurer.
 (4) A self-insured plan.
 (5) A group health plan, as defined in section 607(1) of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
 (6) A service benefit plan.
 (7) A managed care organization.
 (8) Liability insurance including self-insurance.
 (9) No-fault insurance.
 (10) Workers’ compensation laws or plans.
 (11) Other parties that by law, contract, or agreement are legally responsible for payment of a claim for medical services.
 j. “Third-party benefits” mean any benefits that are or may be available to a recipient from a third party and that provide or pay for medical services. “Third-party benefits” may be created by law, contract, court award, judgment, settlement, agreement, or any arrangement between a third party and any person or entity, recipient, or otherwise. “Third-party benefits” include but are not limited to all of the following:

 (1) Benefits from collateral or proceeds.
 (2) Health insurance benefits.
 (3) Health maintenance organization benefits.
 (4) Benefits from preferred provider arrangements and prepaid health clinics.
 (5) Benefits from liability insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance, or personal injury protection coverage.
 (6) Medical benefits under workers’ compensation.
 (7) Benefits from any obligation under law or equity to provide medical support.
 3. Third-party benefits for medical services shall be primary to medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor.
 4. a. A Medicaid payor has all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities identified under this section. Each Medicaid payor is a Medicaid payor to the extent of the medical assistance provided by that Medicaid payor. Therefore, Medicaid payors may exercise their Medicaid payor’s rights under this section concurrently.

 b. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary, if the department determines that a Medicaid payor has not taken reasonable steps within a reasonable time to recover third-party benefits, the department may exercise all of the rights of the Medicaid payor under this section to the exclusion of the Medicaid payor. If the department determines the department will exercise such rights, the department shall give notice to third parties and to the Medicaid payor.
 5. A Medicaid payor may assign the Medicaid payor’s rights under this section, including but not limited to an assignment to another Medicaid payor, a provider, or a contractor.
 6. After the Medicaid payor has provided medical assistance under the Medicaid program, the Medicaid payor shall seek reimbursement for third-party benefits to the extent of the Medicaid payor’s legal liability and for the full amount of the third-party benefits, but not in excess of the amount of medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor.
 7. On or before the thirtieth day following discovery by a recipient of potential third-party benefits, a recipient or the recipient’s agent, as applicable, shall inform the Medicaid payor of any rights the recipient has to third-party benefits and of the name and address of any person that is or may be liable to provide third-party benefits.
 8. When the Medicaid payor provides or becomes liable for medical assistance, the Medicaid payor has the following rights which shall be construed together to provide the greatest recovery of third-party benefits:

 a. The Medicaid payor is automatically subrogated to any rights that a recipient or a recipient’s agent or legally liable relative has to any third-party benefit for the full amount of medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor. Recovery pursuant to these subrogation rights shall not be reduced, prorated, or applied to only a portion of a judgment, award, or settlement, but shall provide full recovery to the Medicaid payor from any and all third-party benefits. Equities of a recipient or a recipient’s agent, creditor, or health care provider shall not defeat, reduce, or prorate recovery by the Medicaid payor as to the Medicaid payor’s subrogation rights granted under this paragraph.
 b. By applying for, accepting, or accepting the benefit of medical assistance, a recipient or a recipient’s agent or legally liable relative automatically assigns to the Medicaid payor any right, title, and interest such person has to any third-party benefit, excluding any Medicare benefit to the extent required to be excluded by federal law.

 (1) The assignment granted under this paragraph is absolute and vests legal and equitable title to any such right in the Medicaid payor, but not in excess of the amount of medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor.
 (2) The Medicaid payor is a bona fide assignee for value in the assigned right, title, or interest and takes vested legal and equitable title free and clear of latent equities in a third party. Equities of a recipient or a recipient’s agent, creditor, or health care provider shall not defeat or reduce recovery by the Medicaid payor as to the assignment granted under this paragraph.
 c. The Medicaid payor is entitled to and has an automatic lien upon the collateral for the full amount of medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor to or on behalf of the recipient for medical services furnished as a result of any covered injury or illness for which a third party is or may be liable.

 (1) The lien attaches automatically when a recipient first receives medical services for which the Medicaid payor may be obligated to provide medical assistance.
 (2) The filing of the notice of lien with the clerk of the district court in the county in which the recipient’s eligibility is established pursuant to this section shall be notice of the lien to all persons. Notice is effective as of the date of filing of the notice of lien.
 (3) If the Medicaid payor has actual knowledge that the recipient is represented by an attorney, the Medicaid payor shall provide the attorney with a copy of the notice of lien. However, this provision of a copy of the notice of lien to the recipient’s attorney does not abrogate the attachment, perfection, and notice satisfaction requirements specified under subparagraphs (1) and (2).
 (4) Only one claim of lien need be filed to provide notice and shall provide sufficient notice as to any additional or after-paid amount of medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor for any specific covered injury or illness. The Medicaid payor may, in the Medicaid payor’s discretion, file additional, amended, or substitute notices of lien at any time after the initial filing until the Medicaid payor has been repaid the full amount of medical assistance provided by Medicaid or otherwise has released the liable parties and recipient.
 (5) A release or satisfaction of any cause of action, suit, claim, counterclaim, demand, judgment, settlement, or settlement agreement shall not be effective as against a lien created under this paragraph, unless the Medicaid payor joins in the release or satisfaction or executes a release of the lien. An acceptance of a release or satisfaction of any cause of action, suit, claim, counterclaim, demand, or judgment and any settlement of any of the foregoing in the absence of a release or satisfaction of a lien created under this paragraph shall prima facie constitute an impairment of the lien, and the Medicaid payor is entitled to recover damages on account of such impairment. In an action on account of impairment of a lien, the Medicaid payor may recover from the person accepting the release or satisfaction or the person making the settlement the full amount of medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor.
 (6) The lack of a properly filed claim of lien shall not affect the Medicaid payor’s assignment or subrogation rights provided in this subsection nor affect the existence of the lien, but shall only affect the effective date of notice.
 (7) The lien created by this paragraph is a first lien and superior to the liens and charges of any provider of a recipient’s medical services. If the lien is recorded, the lien shall exist for a period of seven years after the date of recording. If the lien is not recorded, the lien shall exist for a period of seven years after the date of attachment. If recorded, the lien may be extended for one additional period of seven years by rerecording the claim of lien within the ninety-day period preceding the expiration of the lien.
 9. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Medicaid payor shall recover the full amount of all medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor on behalf of the recipient to the full extent of third-party benefits. The Medicaid payor may collect recovered benefits directly from any of the following:

 a. A third party.
 b. The recipient.
 c. The provider of a recipient’s medical services if third-party benefits have been recovered by the provider. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, a provider shall not be required to refund or pay to the Medicaid payor any amount in excess of the actual third-party benefits received by the provider from a third party for medical services provided to the recipient.
 d. Any person who has received the third-party benefits.
 10. a. A recipient and the recipient’s agent shall cooperate in the Medicaid payor’s recovery of the recipient’s third-party benefits and in establishing paternity and support of a recipient child born out of wedlock. Such cooperation shall include but is not limited to all of the following:

 (1) Appearing at an office designated by the Medicaid payor to provide relevant information or evidence.
 (2) Appearing as a witness at a court proceeding or other legal or administrative proceeding.
 (3) Providing information or attesting to lack of information under penalty of perjury.
 (4) Paying to the Medicaid payor any third-party benefit received.
 (5) Taking any additional steps to assist in establishing paternity or securing third-party benefits, or both.
 b. Notwithstanding paragraph “a”, the Medicaid payor has the discretion to waive, in writing, the requirement of cooperation for good cause shown and as required by federal law.
 c. The department may deny or terminate eligibility for any recipient who refuses to cooperate as required under this subsection unless the department has waived cooperation as provided under this subsection.
 11. On or before the thirtieth day following the initiation of a formal or informal recovery, other than by filing a lawsuit, a recipient’s attorney shall provide written notice of the activity or action to the Medicaid payor.
 12. A recipient is deemed to have authorized the Medicaid payor to obtain and release medical information and other records with respect to the recipient’s medical services for the sole purpose of obtaining reimbursement for medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor.
 13. a. To enforce the Medicaid payor’s rights under this section, the Medicaid payor may, as a matter of right, institute, intervene in, or join in any legal or administrative proceeding in the Medicaid payor’s own name, and in any or a combination of any, of the following capacities:

 (1) Individually.
 (2) As a subrogee of the recipient.
 (3) As an assignee of the recipient.
 (4) As a lienholder of the collateral.
 b. An action by the Medicaid payor to recover damages in an action in tort under this subsection, which action is derivative of the rights of the recipient, shall not constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity.
 c. A Medicaid payor, other than the department, shall obtain the written consent of the department before the Medicaid payor files a derivative legal action on behalf of a recipient.
 d. When a Medicaid payor brings a derivative legal action on behalf of a recipient, the Medicaid payor shall provide written notice no later than thirty days after filing the action to the recipient, the recipient’s agent, and, if the Medicaid payor has actual knowledge that the recipient is represented by an attorney, to the attorney of the recipient, as applicable.
 e. If the recipient or a recipient’s agent brings an action against a third party, on or before the thirtieth day following the filing of the action, the recipient, the recipient’s agent, or the attorney of the recipient or the recipient’s agent, as applicable, shall provide written notice to the Medicaid payor of the action, including the name of the court in which the action is brought, the case number of the action, and a copy of the pleadings. The recipient, the recipient’s agent, or the attorney of the recipient or the recipient’s agent, as applicable, shall provide written notice of intent to dismiss the action at least twenty-one days before the voluntary dismissal of an action against a third party. Notice to the Medicaid payor shall be sent as specified by rule.
 14. On or before the thirtieth day before the recipient finalizes a judgment, award, settlement, or any other recovery where the Medicaid payor has the right to recovery, the recipient, the recipient’s agent, or the attorney of the recipient or recipient’s agent, as applicable, shall give the Medicaid payor notice of the judgment, award, settlement, or recovery. The judgment, award, settlement, or recovery shall not be finalized unless such notice is provided and the Medicaid payor has had a reasonable opportunity to recover under the Medicaid payor’s rights to subrogation, assignment, and lien. If the Medicaid payor is not given notice, the recipient, the recipient’s agent, and the recipient’s or recipient’s agent’s attorney are jointly and severally liable to reimburse the Medicaid payor for the recovery received to the extent of medical assistance paid by the Medicaid payor. The notice required under this subsection means written notice sent via certified mail to the address listed on the department’s internet site for a Medicaid payor’s third-party liability contact. The notice requirement is only satisfied for the specific Medicaid payor upon receipt by the specific Medicaid payor’s third-party liability contact of such written notice sent via certified mail.
 15. a. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the entire amount of any settlement of the recipient’s action or claim involving third-party benefits, with or without suit, is subject to the Medicaid payor’s claim for reimbursement of the amount of medical assistance provided and any lien pursuant to the claim.

 b. Insurance and other third-party benefits shall not contain any term or provision which purports to limit or exclude payment or the provision of benefits for an individual if the individual is eligible for, or a recipient of, medical assistance, and any such term or provision shall be void as against public policy.
 16. In an action in tort against a third party in which the recipient is a party and which results in a judgment, award, or settlement from a third party, the amount recovered shall be distributed as follows:

 a. After deduction of reasonable attorney fees, reasonably necessary legal expenses, and filing fees, there is a rebuttable presumption that all Medicaid payors shall collectively receive two-thirds of the remaining amount recovered or the total amount of medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payors, whichever is less. A party may rebut this presumption in accordance with subsection 17.
 b. The remaining recovered amount shall be paid to the recipient.
 c. If the recovered amount available for the repayment of medical assistance is insufficient to satisfy the competing claims of the Medicaid payors, each Medicaid payor shall be entitled to the Medicaid payor’s respective pro rata share of the recovered amount that is available.
 17. a. A recipient or a recipient’s agent who has notice or who has actual knowledge of the Medicaid payor’s rights to third-party benefits under this section and who receives any third-party benefit or proceeds for a covered injury or illness shall on or before the sixtieth day after receipt of the proceeds pay the Medicaid payor the full amount of the third-party benefits, but not more than the total medical assistance provided by the Medicaid payor, or shall place the full amount of the third-party benefits in an interest-bearing trust account for the benefit of the Medicaid payor pending a determination of the Medicaid payor’s rights to the benefits under this subsection.

 b. If federal law limits the Medicaid payor to reimbursement from the recovered damages for medical expenses, a recipient may contest the amount designated as recovered damages for medical expenses payable to the Medicaid payor pursuant to the formula specified in subsection 16. In order to successfully rebut the formula specified in subsection 16, the recipient shall prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the portion of the total recovery which should be allocated as medical expenses, including future medical expenses, is less than the amount calculated by the Medicaid payor pursuant to the formula specified in subsection 16. Alternatively, to successfully rebut the formula specified in subsection 16, the recipient shall prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that Medicaid provided a lesser amount of medical assistance than that asserted by the Medicaid payor. A settlement agreement that designates the amount of recovered damages for medical expenses is not clear and convincing evidence and is not sufficient to establish the recipient’s burden of proof, unless the Medicaid payor is a party to the settlement agreement.
 c. If the recipient or the recipient’s agent filed a legal action to recover against the third party, the court in which such action was filed shall resolve any dispute concerning the amount owed to the Medicaid payor, and shall retain jurisdiction of the case to resolve the amount of the lien after the dismissal of the action.
 d. If the recipient or the recipient’s agent did not file a legal action, to resolve any dispute concerning the amount owed to the Medicaid payor, the recipient or the recipient’s agent shall file a petition for declaratory judgment as permitted under rule of civil procedure 1.1101 on or before the one hundred twenty-first day after the date of payment of funds to the Medicaid payor or the date of placing the full amount of the third-party benefits in a trust account. Venue for all declaratory actions under this subsection shall lie in Polk county.
 e. If a Medicaid payor and the recipient or the recipient’s agent disagree as to whether a medical claim is related to a covered injury or illness, the Medicaid payor and the recipient or the recipient’s agent shall attempt to work cooperatively to resolve the disagreement before seeking resolution by the court.
 f. Each party shall pay the party’s own attorney fees and costs for any legal action conducted under this subsection.
 18. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when medical assistance is provided for a minor, any statute of limitation or repose applicable to an action or claim of a legally responsible relative for the minor’s medical expenses is extended in favor of the legally responsible relative so that the legally responsible relative shall have one year from and after the attainment of the minor’s majority within which to file a complaint, make a claim, or commence an action.
 19. In recovering any payments in accordance with this section, the Medicaid payor may make appropriate settlements.
 20. If a recipient or a recipient’s agent submits via notice a request that the Medicaid payor provide an itemization of medical assistance paid for any covered injury or illness, the Medicaid payor shall provide the itemization on or before the sixty-fifth day following the day on which the Medicaid payor received the request. Failure to provide the itemization within the specified time shall not bar a Medicaid payor’s recovery, unless the itemization response is delinquent for more than one hundred twenty days without justifiable cause. A Medicaid payor shall not be under any obligation to provide a final itemization until a reasonable period of time after the processing of payment in relation to the recipient’s receipt of final medical services. A Medicaid payor shall not be under any obligation to respond to more than one itemization request in any one-hundred-twenty-day period. The notice required under this subsection means written notice sent via certified mail to the address listed on the department’s internet site for a Medicaid payor’s third-party liability contact. The notice requirement is only satisfied for the specific Medicaid payor upon receipt by the specific Medicaid payor’s third-party liability contact of such written notice sent via certified mail.
 21. The department may adopt rules to administer this section and applicable federal requirements.
  Previous section
Next section  
 Chapter 249A Contents