◆ Kandel & Associates P.A., a Baltimore-based law firm, and Nelson R. Kandel Esq., have settled allegations they failed to reimburse the government for certain Medicare payments the government made to medical providers on behalf of firm clients, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said Feb. 23.^[1] The investigation stemmed from Medicare as Secondary Payer (MSP) provisions under the Social Security Act. “When an injured person receives a tort settlement or judgment, Medicare law requires persons or entities who receive the settlement or judgment proceeds, including the injured person’s attorney, to repay Medicare for its conditional payments,” the U.S. attorney’s office said. “The Government alleges that, over many years, Medicare made conditional payments to healthcare providers to satisfy medical bills for firm clients. During that period, the firm negotiated for and received settlement proceeds for the firm’s clients, but neither the firm nor its clients repaid Medicare for conditional payments it made to medical providers. This settlement resolves the Government’s claims that the firm and Mr. Kandel failed to resolve at least twelve MSP debts.” The law firm and Kandel agreed to pay $39,828.66 to resolve the MSP claims. They didn’t admit liability in the settlement.