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Medical-loss ratio could include fraud prevention

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) wants insurers' fraud prevention efforts, such as investments in technology, to count as quality improvements for calculating the medical-loss ratio (MLR) that health plans must meet to avoid paying rebates to customers.

 

In a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Blackburn said the change would improve insurance companies' bottom lines by giving them a more favorable MLR and making rebates less likely. Fraud prevention was not included as a legitimate quality improvement under the MLR regulations adopted last month by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which HHS is expected to certify any day now, according to The Hill’s Healthwatch.

"To not include fraud prevention costs in the MLR calculation would not only be inconsistent with Congressional intent but would represent a missed opportunity to generate significant system savings--savings that are far greater than those delivered under traditional 'pay-and-chase' methods," Blackburn said.

She added that the recommended MLR rule already lets money spent to recover funds from fraudulent claims be included in the calculation of money spent on quality improvements. Blackburn argued that technology adjustments to prevent fraud should be included as well, reports CQ HealthBeat.

"I urge you to use your discretion in the forthcoming regulation to ensure that the costs associated with the prevention of fraudulent claims--such as those made through key investments in technology--are similarly included as a legitimate 'Quality Improvement' expense," Blackburn wrote.

To learn more:
- read the CQ HealthBeat story
- read The Hill’s Healthwatch article

Related Articles:
Draft MLR rule does not capitulate to all insurer demands
 
Insurers lose battle as NAIC approves tough MLR rules
 
States want slower medical-loss ratio phase-in
 
Maine seeks waiver from medical-loss ratio requirements

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Comments

Marsha Blackburn Voted FOR:
Omnibus Appropriations, Special Education, Global AIDS Initiative, Job Training, Unemployment Benefits, Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations, Agriculture Appropriations, FY2004 Foreign Operations Appropriations, U.S.-Singapore Trade, U.S.-Chile Trade, Supplemental Spending for Iraq & Afghanistan, Flood Insurance Reauthorization , Prescription Drug Benefit, Child Nutrition Programs, Surface Transportation, Job Training and Worker Services, Agriculture Appropriations, Foreign Aid, Debt Limit Increase, Fiscal 2005 Omnibus Appropriations, Vocational/Technical Training, Supplemental Appropriations, UN “Reforms.” Patriot Act Reauthorization, CAFTA, Katrina Hurricane-relief Appropriations, Head Start Funding, Line-item Rescission, Oman Trade Agreement, Military Tribunals, Electronic Surveillance, Head Start Funding, COPS Funding, Funding the REAL ID Act (National ID), Foreign Intelligence Surveillance, Thought Crimes “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, Peru Free Trade Agreement, Economic Stimulus, Farm Bill (Veto Override), Warrantless Searches, Employee Verification Program, Body Imaging Screening, Patriot Act extention.

Marsha Blackburn Voted AGAINST:
Ban on UN Contributions, eliminate Millennium Challenge Account, WTO Withdrawal, UN Dues Decrease, Defunding the NAIS, Iran Military Operations defunding Iraq Troop Withdrawal, congress authorization of Iran Military Operations, Withdrawing U.S. Soldiers from Afghanistan.

Marsha Blackburn is my Congressman.
See her unconstitutional votes at :
http://mickeywhite.blogspot.com/2009/09/tn-congressman-marsha-blackburn-votes.html
Mickey

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