Labor Department requires faster health claims

(Washington, DC-AP) -- Millions of Americans can expect speedier decisions on health claims under new Labor Department rules. <br><br>The rules are designed to streamline the claims process for employer-based

Tuesday, November 21st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Washington, DC-AP) -- Millions of Americans can expect speedier decisions on health claims under new Labor Department rules.

The rules are designed to streamline the claims process for employer-based health plans.

Under the new regulations, health plans must notify patients about their claims within 45 days -- and render decisions on appeals of denied claims within 60 days.

Health plans would have to act even more quickly on claims for urgent care.

The rules are to take effect in January 2002.

But they could come under attack in a new presidential administration.

House Republicans, led by Bill Goodling of Pennsylvania and John Boehner of Ohio, urged the administration in recent weeks to give lawmakers a chance to reform managed care rather than do it administratively. Goodling chairs the Education and Workforce Committee. Boehner chairs the employer-employee relations subcommittee.