October 2009

Governor Nixon Issues an Executive Order to Create the "Prompt Pay for Healthy Missouri Project"

An Important Insurance Regulatory Update

On September 24, 2009, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon issued an executive order to examine the issues relating to timely reimbursement of Missouri hospitals and healthcare providers by health insurance companies. He has titled the project the “Prompt Pay for Healthy Missouri Project” ("Project"). The Missouri Director of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration (the "Missouri Department"), John Huff, has been appointed as the project director and will have supervisory authority over all aspects of the Project.

The Missouri Department also will provide administrative support to the Project. The Project includes distributing a survey to physicians, hospitals, and other providers asking for information on outstanding and overdue claims and the reasons health insurers have provided for any delay in payment. The Governor's order requires that the Project Director file a report by no later than December 31, 2009. To view the order in its entirety, please click here.

We intend to closely monitor the Project and the prompt pay report that will be issued by the Missouri Department at the end of the year.

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If you would like more information regarding this article, please contact Jennifer Osborn at (913) 234-7472 or josborn@polsinelli.com.
   

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Insurance Business and Regulatory Law Group
   

With decades of experience assisting the insurance industry with corporate transactions and various compliance and regulatory issues across the country, the Insurance Business and Regulatory Law group at Polsinelli Shughart PC has the experience to provide outstanding services to this industry.

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