Senate bill would speed medical insurance claims

Art Nadler

Thursday, April 29, 1999 | 11:55 a.m.

Last year Carson City orthopedic surgeon Dr. Joseph Walls spent $30,000 for a billing service to go after insurance companies that owed him money. He hopes he can save that money if Senate Bill 145 is passed by the Legislature.

The bill, which is now in the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee, would require health insurers to either approve or deny a claim in 30 days. Once claims are approved, insurers would have 30 days to pay.

Some doctors have had to wait up to nine months to get paid, Larry Matheis, executive director of the Nevada State Medical Association, told the Assembly committee Wednesday night.

Walls said 55 percent of the money owed him is 90 days overdue.

"It's ridiculous to see our patients on a cut-rate plan and not get paid for it," said Dr. John Scott, a radiologist from Reno. "I'm constantly delayed getting paid."

SB145 would also allow the state insurance commissioner to regulate rates that health insurers charge doctors for being in their plans. Doctors pay from $200 to $2,000 a month for each health plan they join, committee members were told.

Alice Molasky-Arman, the state insurance commissioner, said her office is flooded with calls from doctors complaining they have not been paid. She said when insurers don't pay in a timely fashion, that leads her to believe the companies might be experiencing financial problems.

"I think this bill is right on the money," Assemblywoman Jan Evans, D-Sparks, said.

SB145 would also require that if an insurance company needs additional information before deciding on a claim, it must request the information within 20 days after the claim is received.