Yet again, we find health insurers, this time giants Aetna and Cigna in the cross hairs of legal action over their use of systemic means to reduce, deny and withhold legitimate payments due to physicians and patients for medical services. All other attempts at health reform will fail unless and until there is fundamental insurance reform. The major private health insurance firms are playing into the hands of those who seek a universal, government run payment system. The only way to salvage a robust, vital, private health insurance market is with major reform in the behavior of the insurance industry. Health care costs are not costs which should be viewed as a burden, which is too often the case. They are a necessity which should be viewed as an investment in our nation, since all health care is by definition local. Health insurance reform’s time has come . . . obi jo
AMA, several medical groups sue Aetna and Cigna over out-of-network reimbursements.
The American Medical Association and several state associations have filed lawsuits against Aetna Health Inc. and Cigna Corp., alleging the insurers used ‘a corrupt system’ to underpay physicians and patients. The associations claim that Aetna and Cigna used a UnitedHealth Group Inc. subsidiary’s database rigged to cheat doctors and patients for out-of-network medical expenses. Last month, UnitedHealth agreed…to pay $400 million to settle allegations it underpaid doctors and patients for 15 years by using” the database, which “minimized payments for services by doctors outside insurance company networks.” In a related settlement with New York State, Aetna agreed to pay $20 million . . . read more at at these sites . . .
Aetna, Cigna Cheated on Payments, Doctors Say in Suit – READ @ http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aQB7LldrUbyU&refer=us
AMA, others suing Aetna, Cigna over payments – READ @ http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iFJamegsgw0B62EY3mBwq38eunPwD968R95O0
Legal Woes For Cigna, Aetna: Health insurers are accused by AMA of rigging their reimbursement systems – READ @ http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/10/ama-aetna-cigna-markets-equity-0210_lawsuit_18.html
Medical Groups Sue, Say Aetna, CIGNA Shortchanged Doctors – READ @ http://www.courant.com/business/hc-medsuit0211.artfeb11,0,526654.story
AMA, others join lawsuits against Aetna, Cigna – READ @ http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ama-others-join-lawsuits-against-aetna-cigna
AMA Sues Aetna and Cigna Over Out-of-Network Reimbursements – READ @ http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/02/10/ama-sues-aetna-and-cigna-over-out-of-network-reimbursements/