MEDICONNECT GLOBAL ENCOURAGES VIOXX CLAIMANTS TO ORDER MEDICAL RECORDS NOW
Last Extension Gave More Time for Enrollment; Short Window to Order PME Records
SALT LAKE CITY, April 28, 2008—MediConnect Global, Inc. today urged Merck Vioxx Settlement claimants to order the retrieval of their 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. www.mediconnect.net
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/, http://www.merck.com/newsroom/vioxx/, and Phillips Law.
About MediConnect Global
MediConnect Global, Inc. is the leading medical records retrieval, scanning and storage services provider. MediConnect's online RapidRetrieve system and patented processes provide medical records to the health/life insurance and legal industries quickly over the Internet in a secure and efficient manner. It also provides global healthcare provider services. For more information please visit (http://www.mediconnect.net) or call (801) 545-3700.
Contact:
A. Cory Maloy
MediConnect Global, Inc.
(801) 545-3717
acm@mediconnect.net
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