NAIC drafts unfair claims settlement act

March 22, 2011 — In an effort to ensure consistency among state insurance laws, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners drafted the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act in 1990.

Most states have taken the act and adapted it to fit their particular state laws. Under most state Unfair Claims Settlement Practices laws, the state’s insurance commissioner is authorized to investigate individuals or groups (such as insurers) if any components of the law have been violated.

Of particular interest to providers and patients is the provision that outlines several unfair claims practices, such as insurers knowingly misrepresenting to claimants relevant facts or policy provisions, or insurers failing to acknowledge communications with claimants with reasonable promptness. To learn more, click here.

Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org