There is just a little more than eight weeks remaining to order PME records for the Merck Vioxx Settlement!

MediConnect Global, Inc. today urged Merck Vioxx Settlement claimants to order retrievals of pharmacy, medical and event records (PME records) as soon as possible. PME records are required in the Claims Package that must be submitted before a looming July 1st deadline.

On March 25, claimants were given an extension to enroll in the settlement until May 1. The extension conveniently gave claimants more time to enroll, however, the July 1st deadline to submit claims packages with their PME record remains the same.

“The extension is great for claimants, who need it, but also means they have a smaller window of time to get their claims packages together and submitted,” said Amy Rees Anderson, CEO of MediConnect Global. “Depending on the size of claimants’ records, it can take as long as six weeks to retrieve them. If record orders haven’t already been placed, they really need to get them in as soon as possible to meet the July 1st submission deadline.”

Last November, Merck & Co., Inc. announced one of the largest pharmaceutical settlements in U.S. history when it set aside a $4.85 billion fund for people who claim they were harmed by Vioxx.

Originally, those claimants wishing to participate had to enroll by February 29, but the deadline was moved to March 31st and again to May 1st.

As the July 1st deadline gets nearer MediConnect anticipates pharmacies and healthcare providers will be deluged with Vioxx related PME requests that could create a large backlog and potentially slow retrieval.

“We strongly encourage all those who have already enrolled or plan to enroll by May 1st to order their PME records immediately,” said Anderson. “The longer they wait, the riskier it will be for them to get their records in time for the deadline.” 

MediConnect Global provides a medical record retrieval solution law firms can use to request all of the PME records they need from a single source. MediConnect contacts each pharmacy, medical and event provider to retrieve the records, digitizes them, and delivers them in a secure, organized, and electronic format.

“We have found MediConnect to be an invaluable resource in meeting the fast approaching deadlines related to the Vioxx Settlement,” said Lowell W. Finson, Assistant Supervising Attorney Defective Drugs & Product Liability Division for Phillips & Associates. “Regardless of any hope that further extensions will be granted, it is dangerous to assume that any delay in getting medical records will be rewarded.”

MediConnect Global has already experienced a surge of Vioxx related record retrieval requests since the beginning of the year and anticipates even more as the deadline draws nearer.

For more information about the Merck Vioxx Settlement deadlines and requirements go to http://www.browngreer.com/vioxxsettlement/ and http://www.merck.com/newsroom/vioxx/, and Phillips Law.

For a BGA, getting records as fast as possible is one of the most important aspects of APS retrieval. Over the years, and after retrieving 100’s of thousands of records, MediConnect Global has perfected retrieval with its patented online process that works equally well for the provider next door or across the country—a process that can provide APS retrieval in a matter of days.

The question is then, why isn’t the time required for retrieval uniform in all regions and geographies? It can vary by area from a few days to a few weeks- why?

The answer is a fairly broad one. The biggest delays are usually caused by either specific state and/or specific provider requirements.

A good case study is California. In California providers are not required to copy their medical records as an extension of HIPAA privacy rules. When an APS request is made, arrangements need to be made to have a copy service make copies—an added step. MediConnect Global maintains premium contracts with key copy service providers in California to expedite timely service.

In other regions, there are large copy service companies who contract with providers to manage their medical records. They may have their own specific set of rules that need to be followed to obtain APS records. Rules that include special authorizations, minimum amounts of time such as 14 days before checking back on status, and not following up directly with the provider all have the potential to slow the process down.

Other potential hold ups include specialized authorizations that providers may require. MediConnect is a strong proponent of universal authorizations that allow for one form that works for everyone and meets HIPAA requirements. Until the day a universal is available though, it is important to make sure all special authorizations are provided with your request.

In all these areas, MediConnect streamlines the process constantly looking for ways to maintain and increase the speed of retrieval as much as possible so BGAs can obtain their applicant’s records quickly and as cost effectively as possible. Insuring orders are completed properly and all special handling features are implemented helps maintain efficiency.