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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

What Does MSPQ Stand For? A Medicare Secondary Payer Quiz

Quick, free Medicare Secondary Payer quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ashukov GovernmentUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for MSPQ Questionnaire quiz on Medicare rules and responsibilities on teal background

This quiz helps you learn what MSPQ means and how Medicare Secondary Payer rules work. Answer quick scenarios to see who pays first and spot gaps before claims or audits. For more practice, try our Medicare Advantage quiz and medicare parts c d quiz, or build basics with a medical insurance quiz.

What does MSP stand for?
Medical Service Program
Medicare Supplemental Plan
Medicare Secondary Payer
Medical Savings Plan
MSP stands for Medicare Secondary Payer, which refers to situations where another payer is responsible before Medicare. This terminology is defined by CMS to coordinate benefits and limit Medicare's liability. For more details, see .
What is the primary purpose of the MSPQ Questionnaire?
To enroll beneficiaries in Part D
To calculate Medicare premiums
To determine which payer is primary
To assess beneficiary income
The MSPQ is used to identify other insurance coverage that pays before Medicare, ensuring correct benefit coordination. It helps CMS determine primary payer responsibility. More information is available at .
If a beneficiary has active group health plan coverage, which payer pays first under MSP rules?
The group health plan
Medicare Part B
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Part A
Under MSP rules, an active group health plan generally pays primary before Medicare. This is known as coordination of benefits. For further guidance, visit .
Which section of the MSPQ covers workers' compensation?
Section 3
Section 4
Section 2
Section 1
Section 4 of the MSPQ collects information about workers' compensation coverage and claims. It ensures Medicare can coordinate payments if a work-related injury is involved. See for details.
How many sections are on the standard MSPQ?
Six
Three
Four
Five
The MSPQ contains five sections covering group health plans, liability, no-fault, workers' compensation, and other insurance. This structure ensures comprehensive collection of coverage data. See the form details at .
Which entity issues the MSPQ to beneficiaries?
Department of Labor
State Medicaid Agency
Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC)
Social Security Administration
Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) distribute the MSPQ to beneficiaries to gather information on other coverage. MACs handle claims and inquiries for Medicare programs. For more, see .
What type of insurance is covered under Section 2 of the MSPQ?
Liability insurance
Medicare Supplement
Group health plan
Workers' compensation
Section 2 of the MSPQ addresses liability insurance, including auto accidents and third?party claims. This helps Medicare determine if another insurer is responsible before Medicare pays. Further reading at .
The MSPQ must be returned within how many days to avoid benefit suspension?
90 days
15 days
30 days
60 days
Beneficiaries are required to return the completed MSPQ within 30 days. Failure to comply may result in suspended Medicare benefits until the questionnaire is returned. Details at .
Who uses MSPQ responses to coordinate benefit payments?
Internal Revenue Service
State Medicaid Agencies
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Department of Labor
CMS uses MSPQ data to determine other payers' responsibility and coordinate Medicare payments. This ensures Medicare only pays secondary amounts when appropriate. More from .
Under the working aged provision, if a 67-year-old has coverage through an employer with 25 employees, who pays first?
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part B
Medicare Supplement
Employer's group health plan
For beneficiaries aged 65 and older with employer coverage, the group health plan of an employer with 20 or more employees pays primary under the working aged provision. Medicare pays secondary. See .
If liability insurance is available but liability is being disputed, how does Medicare pay?
Primary payment
Full retroactive payment
Conditional payment
Denial of claim
When liability is disputed, Medicare makes a conditional payment, expecting reimbursement if the beneficiary recovers from the third party. This avoids delays in care. More on conditional payments at .
Which section of the MSPQ addresses no-fault insurance?
Section 1
Section 3
Section 5
Section 2
Section 3 of the MSPQ is designated for no?fault insurance (e.g., personal injury protection). It collects data to coordinate payments. For more, see .
If a beneficiary does not return the MSPQ, what action may CMS take?
Waive cost-sharing
Refer to debt collection
Increase premiums
Suspend Medicare benefits
Failure to return the MSPQ can lead to suspension of Medicare benefits until the questionnaire is completed. This policy ensures CMS collects necessary information. See .
When must insurers submit information to Section 111 regarding liability claims?
Within 30 days of settlement or judgment
Within 60 days of settlement
Within 90 days of initial claim
Within 10 days of payment
Section 111 requires insurers to report liability claim information within 30 days of a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment. This timely reporting allows CMS to protect Medicare's interests. Details at .
What term describes Medicare's initial payment when a primary plan is responsible?
Advance payment
Reconciliation payment
Conditional payment
Interim payment
Conditional payments are made by Medicare when another payer is primarily responsible, allowing beneficiaries access to services without delay. Medicare seeks reimbursement when the primary insurer pays. Learn more at .
For disabled beneficiaries under 65, what employer group size threshold makes the group health plan primary?
100 or more employees
50 or more employees
20 or more employees
10 or more employees
Disabled beneficiaries under age 65 with employer coverage from an employer with 100 or more employees have that plan pay primary. Medicare pays secondary in these scenarios. For specifics see .
Within how many days must a beneficiary notify CMS of changes in other insurance coverage?
30 days
90 days
60 days
10 days
Beneficiaries are required to notify CMS or their MAC within 30 days of any changes to other insurance coverage. This timely update maintains accurate coordination of benefits. More at .
What role does a group health plan play under MSP coordination?
Funds Medicare Advantage plans
Only covers preventive services
Pays primary when coverage conditions are met
Always pays secondary to Medicare
A group health plan pays primary when MSP rules apply, such as working aged or disability special provisions, before Medicare. This coordination avoids duplicate payments by Medicare. See .
What document does CMS issue to demand reimbursement of conditional payments?
Reconsideration notice
Demand letter
Conditional agreement
Offset statement
After making conditional payments, CMS issues a demand letter to recover funds from the primary payer or beneficiary. The letter outlines the amount owed and repayment instructions. For process details, see .
Which section of the MSPQ captures information on other insurance like VA or foreign plans?
Section 4
Section 1
Section 2
Section 5
Section 5 of the MSPQ gathers information on other insurance coverage, including VA benefits and foreign insurance. This ensures all payers are identified before Medicare payment. Learn more at .
What is the Section 111 reporting threshold for liability insurers?
$2,000
$700
$500
$1,000
Liability insurers must report events when total payments exceed $700 under Section 111. This threshold triggers mandatory reporting to CMS. For threshold details, see .
How does Medicare typically recover conditional payments?
Issuing demand letters and offsetting future benefits
Filing criminal charges
Reducing premiums
Granting waivers
Medicare recovers conditional payments primarily by issuing demand letters to responsible parties and offsetting future Medicare benefits if repayment is not made. This process protects Medicare trust funds. See .
Which statutory provision authorizes Medicare to make conditional payments?
Section 1882(a) of the Social Security Act
Section 1834(a) of the Social Security Act
Section 1862(b) of the Social Security Act
Section 1128A of the Social Security Act
Section 1862(b) of the Social Security Act authorizes Medicare to make conditional payments when another payer is responsible. Medicare seeks reimbursement once the primary payer settles. More information at .
Within how many years must CMS pursue recovery of conditional payments?
Five years
Ten years
One year
Three years
CMS generally has a three-year statute of limitations to pursue recovery of conditional payments from responsible parties or beneficiaries. This period is defined under the Medicare law. For statutory details, see .
What is the CMS form number for the MSP Questionnaire?
CMS-855
CMS-20037
CMS-2728
CMS-1500
The standard MSPQ used to collect other payer information is CMS-20037. Providers and contractors use this form to gather beneficiary data. See the form at .
What is the Section 111 reporting threshold for no-fault insurers?
$1,000
$700
$750
$500
No-fault insurers must report events to CMS when total payments exceed $750 under Section 111. This requirement helps Medicare identify and coordinate other payer liability. Learn more at .
What is the Section 111 reporting threshold for workers' compensation insurers?
$600
$750
$700
$1,000
Workers' compensation insurers must report to CMS when payments exceed $750 under Section 111. This threshold triggers mandatory reporting to protect Medicare's interests. For details, see .
What is the maximum coordination period for ESRD beneficiaries before Medicare pays primary?
Twenty-seven months
Thirty months
Twelve months
Thirty-six months
ESRD beneficiaries with employer group health plan coverage have a 30-month coordination period during which the plan pays primary. After that, Medicare pays primary. For details, see .
Which statutory citation specifically governs MSP rules in the U.S. Code?
42 USC 1320a-7b
42 USC 1395y(b)
42 USC 1395w-101
42 USC 1235g
MSP rules are codified in 42 USC 1395y(b), which outlines Medicare's secondary payer requirements and conditional payment authority. This statutory basis guides all MSP policies. For full text, see .
What is the daily penalty amount for non-compliance with Section 111 reporting?
$1,027 per day
$500 per day
$100 per day
$2,500 per day
Non-compliance with Section 111 reporting can incur penalties up to $1,027 per day. This strict penalty encourages timely reporting of other payer information. See .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand MSPQ Questionnaire Fundamentals -

    Gain clarity on the structure and purpose of the mspq questionnaire to ensure accurate responses in the Medicare Secondary Payer quiz.

  2. Apply Primary Payer Responsibility Rules -

    Learn how to determine which payer is primary by applying key mspq rules to real-world medical billing scenarios.

  3. Identify Key Medicare Secondary Payer Dates -

    Recognize and recall essential deadlines and time frames crucial for maintaining compliance with MSP requirements.

  4. Analyze Tricky MSPQ Scenarios -

    Develop critical thinking skills by working through challenging MSPQ practice questions that mirror common industry pitfalls.

  5. Evaluate Your Quiz Performance -

    Assess your understanding of Medicare payer rules and pinpoint areas for improvement after completing the mspq rules quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. MSPQ Questionnaire Overview -

    The MSPQ Questionnaire is a standardized CMS form used to determine if a claimant has other applicable coverage that should pay before Medicare. According to the official CMS Medicare Secondary Payer Manual, completing the MSPQ correctly protects both beneficiaries and payers from improper billing. Remember: MSPQ helps enforce "Primary Payer First, Medicare Second" to maintain compliance and audit readiness.

  2. Determining Primary vs. Secondary Payer -

    Primary payers such as group health plans, auto or liability insurance, and workers' compensation must pay first if coverage applies, while Medicare covers excess costs. For example, if an injured worker has a $30,000 workers' comp award, that insurer is primary; Medicare only picks up approved expenses over that amount. Mnemonic tip: "PPS-1st" (Primary Payer Speaks first) can help you recall this hierarchy on-the-fly.

  3. Key Dates and Reporting Timelines -

    Timely reporting in the MSPQ process is crucial: most claims require insurer notification within 60 days of settlement, judgment, award, or other payment (per CMS Section 111 guidance). For instance, if a settlement is reached on January 1, the responsible plan must report to CMS by March 2 (T0 + 60 days). Use the simple formula "T0 + 60" when practicing MSPQ rules quiz questions to avoid late-report penalties and enforcement actions.

  4. Mandatory Reporting Under Section 111 -

    Under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act, group health plans and insurers must submit key life-event data (e.g., new claims, terminations, changes in coverage) to CMS via the Section 111 reporting process. A liability settlement exceeding $50,000 triggers immediate reporting, ensuring CMS can protect Medicare's interests. Always refer to the CMS Section 111 Reporting User Guide for step-by-step procedures, file format requirements, and MSPQ practice question examples.

  5. Common Pitfalls and Compliance Tips -

    Watch out for incomplete MSPQ responses, mismatched beneficiary identifiers, and failure to update ongoing coverage changes - common audit red flags flagged by CMS and OIG. Pro tip: follow the "U-S-E" rule - Update records, Submit accurately, Evaluate periodically - to keep data clean and compliant. Regularly cross-reference beneficiary data with CMS's eligibility files to catch discrepancies early and avoid costly recoupments.

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