Alaska Statutes: AS 47.05.070. Third Party Liability Subrogation.

Alaska Statutes. Title 47. Welfare, Social Services and Institutions Chapter 5. Administration of Welfare, Social Services and Institutions Section 70. Third Party Liability Subrogation.

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AS 47.05.070. Third Party Liability Subrogation.

(a) The department may not pay medical claims that are payable by a third party payor. Medical providers shall attempt collection from the third party payor before billing Medicaid. Before payment by Medicaid, evidence of third-party denial or partial payment shall be presented with the claim.
(b) If the department provides or pays for medical assistance for injury or illness under this title, the department is subrogated to the rights of the recipient of that medical assistance for any claim arising from the injury or illness and to the proceeds of an insurance policy covering the injury or illness to the extent of the value of the medical assistance provided. A recipient of medical assistance or the recipient's attorney must notify the department in writing of any action or claim against a third-party payor if medical assistance was provided by the department to treat an injury or illness for which the third party may be liable. Notwithstanding the assertion of any action or claim by the recipient of medical assistance, the department may bring an action in the superior court against an alleged third-party payor to recover an amount subrogated to the department for medical assistance provided on behalf of a recipient.
(c) If a recipient of medical assistance under this title settles a claim or obtains an award or judgment arising from the injury or illness for which the medical assistance was received, the amount of the claim to which the department is entitled under (b) of this section shall be reduced by a pro rata share of the attorney fees and litigation costs. Regardless of the manner in which the amount of the attorney fees is derived in the particular case, the pro rata reduction of the subrogated claim for reimbursement of attorney fees shall be calculated in accordance with the applicable rules of court governing the award of attorney fees in civil matters.
(d) The department is authorized to enter into contracts for the collection of medical expenses already paid by Medicaid from potential third-party payors. The department may pay, from the funds recovered by the contractor, any amounts owing to the federal government as its share of the Medicaid paid claim, and the costs of collecting the funds.
(e) Notwithstanding (b) of this section, the department may waive the subrogation rights to all or part of the amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of a recipient of medical assistance in cases of undue hardship.
(f) The department may adopt regulations to interpret and implement this section.

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