Settlement agreement includes another $19.6 million in restitution to customers, interest for late reimbursements to providers.
By: Susan Morse
9/16/2016
Health Care Finance
The North Carolina Department of Insurance has slapped the state’s Blue Cross Blue Shield with a $3.6 million penalty for IT problems that allegedly resulted in poor customer service for both its members and providers, according to the insurance commissioner.
The $3.6 million is part of a voluntary settlement agreement, Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said Thursday. The money will come out of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina’s surplus and per the agreement, will not affect customer premiums.
The $3.6 million fine is on top of $11.3 million BCBSNC paid to customers in restitution and at least $8.3 million paid to providers in interest from late reimbursements, according to the four-page agreement, as reported by The News & Observer.