Secondary exposure

Exposure to risk indirectly through association with a person more directly exposed. Mrs Gunn died of mesothelioma caused by inhaling asbestos dust from her husband’s working clothes (Gunn v. Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co. Ltd (1989)).

Secondary insurer

Second insurance plan identified through coordination of benefits (COB) that has the responsibility to pay if there are benefits pending after the first insurance company has sent the provider or patient reimbursement for the medical services. Also called secondary carrier or secondary insurance .

Secondary payer

1. Insurance carrier that reimburses the residual balance of the insurance claim after the primary insurance has paid its benefits. 2. When Medicare is the secondary payer (MSP), the primary insurance plan of a Medicare beneficiary must pay for any medical care or services first before Medicare is sent a claim. MSP may involve aged or disabled patients who are under group health plans and cases related to workers’ compensation, automobile accident, medical no-fault, and liability insurance. For a Medicare patient suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), MSP is the payer for the first 30 months that the beneficiary is entitled to benefits.

Secret commission

A commission taken by an agent without the consent of his principal. It is a breach of good faith and the agent forfeits his rights against the principal. An employee who secretly accepts a commission on his employer’s insurance commits a crime (Prevention of Corruption Act 1906).