Phia Group Russo & Minchoff

State Health Care Reform Update

bhoffman | August 12, 2010

CCH® BENEFITS, www.hr.cch.com
California
The California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) has approved an average increase of more than 9% in health premiums next year for state and local government workers. CalPERS blamed the rate increase on rising costs for hospital care, doctor visits, and prescriptions. The increase will mean higher premiums for public agencies and their [...]

New York: PPACA

Adam V. Russo | June 28, 2010

New York. Governor David Patterson recently signed a bill into law that reinstates the New York State Insurance Department’s authority to review and approve health insurance premium increases before they take effect. The law will apply to all rate increases taking effect on or after Oct. 1, 2010. Since 2000, New York had regulated health [...]

Southern District of New York Holds New York Collateral Source Statute Does Not Abrogate Subrogation Rights

Adam V. Russo | March 22, 2010

By Lindsey C. Bruning and Kristin C. Cummings, Zelle Hoffman Voelbel & Mason LLP, Dallas, Texas
New York, like many states, has a collateral source statute that prevents an injured party from recovering from a tortfeasor amounts that the injured party has already received from another source, such as insurance proceeds. (N.Y. C.P.L.R. 4545) CPLR 4545 [...]

To Our Valued Clientele and the Health Benefit Industry as a Whole:

Adam V. Russo | January 18, 2010

Recently, the State of New York passed into law a statute which many trial lawyers and members of our industry are calling the “anti-subrogation law.” While the law may limit subrogation rights in the State, we certainly feel that the matter deserves more investigation. Over the past few months we at The Phia Group have [...]

ANTI-SUBROGATION BILL PASSED IN NEW YORK

Adam V. Russo | November 18, 2009

The bill will eliminate subrogation and reimbursement rights for fully-insured health insurance plans in New York. The actual ramifications of this new legislation will not ne known until it has been tested in trial and appellate courts have had a chance to interpret the new law and its implications.

New York

Adam V. Russo | November 13, 2009

An anti-subrogation bill attempting to bar subrogation claims related to personal injury is still pending and expected to be seen again in New York’s next legislative session.

NY Anti Subro Bill

Adam V. Russo | November 11, 2009

New York took the drastic step yesterday of passing a law that eliminates subrogation and reimbursement rights for numerous lines of business. Last night the New York Assembly and Senate passed the anti-subrogation bill. Although the bill was passed by both chambers, they are technically awaiting on the governor’s signature.

State Laws for Balance Billing

Adam V. Russo | February 4, 2009

Forty-seven states ban in-network providers from billing insured patients more than their required copayment or deductible and federal law prohibits providers from billing Medicare beneficiaries for unpaid balances. Some states also ban additional charges for insured patients who seek care from out-of-network providers and emergency departments. While national statistics on the practice are unavailable, economists [...]

Ingenix Under Investigation

Adam V. Russo | February 19, 2008

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has announced an industry-wide investigation of health care claims consultant Ingenix, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, for manipulating reimbursement rates provided to their clients, such as BlueCross BlueShield. The investigation has exposed Ingenix’s intent to under reimburse their clients and members, and collect funds unrelated to relevant medical expenses for private [...]