Insurers aren't getting fair play from the VA; a struggle between insurers and the Veterans Administration shows how existing statutes can be twisted by a revenue-hungry agency

Article Abstract:

Title 38 of Section 1729 in the US Code allows the Veterans Administration (VA) to collect a part of the health care costs obtained by veterans in VA hospitals from private health insurance companies that cover the veterans. The government must adjudicate the claim, determine the health care costs, and submit the costs to the third-party payer. This statute is not applicable when the third-party payer is also a government agency, such as Champus or Medicare departments, because different executive branch departments cannot bill each other according to federal law.

author: Gradison, Bill
Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors, Insurance Regulation, Management, United States. Department of Veterans Affairs, Insurance law

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

CAPTCHA

It's time to reengineer the regulatory system

Article Abstract:

The large amount of standards and requirements that life and health insurance companies must deal with should be reduced. Elimination of many of these rules would help lower operation costs and help reduce the complexities insurers must face. For example, instead of continuing with the National Association of Insurance Commission's Insurance Regulatory Information System tests, the commission should eliminate the tests.

author: Stein, Robert W.
Life Insurance, Direct Life Insurance Carriers, Insurance industry, Life insurance industry

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

CAPTCHA

A new year brings new industry worries

Article Abstract:

The results of the 1996 elections will shape legislation affecting health insurers in 1997. Direct access to specialists, disclosure of provider payment methods and mandatory out-of-network options will be among the issues confronted by legislators. State regulation of health insurance is not expected to become a reality in 1997 as both parties favor dual regulation.

author: Gradison, Bill
Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers, Hospital and medical service plans, Medical Care Insurance, Forecasts and trends, Health insurance, Medical policy, Health policy

User Contributions:

Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:

CAPTCHA


subjects list: Laws, regulations and rules, Health insurance industry, Column
This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.