Cigna settlement update

The deadline to file for compensation in the CIGNA settlement is Feb. 18, 2005. Providers who filed claims with CIGNA HealthCare between Aug. 4, 1990 and Sept. 5, 2003 and who have not opted out of the class action settlement with the HMO are eligible to file.

An official notice announcing when and how providers can file for compensation was mailed out last July, but if you can’t find yours, don’t fret. The notice along with any of the forms you’ll need are available online at www.hmosettlements.com.

Physicians filing claims will have to choose between two available compensation funds. The first is the Category A Settlement Fund, which is capped at $30 million. At the end of the claims period, the fund will be divided among the claimants according to a formula.

The other option is the Claim Distribution Fund, which is uncapped. Providers wishing to receive compensation from this fund will have to file separately for each contested claim in cases of coding and bundling edits, and medical necessity denials. There are no limits on the number of requests for compensation providers can file under the Claim Distribution Fund, but providers cannot file under both funds.

For more information, visit www.hmosettlements.com, www.CIGNAPhysicianSettlement.com, and www.hmocrisis.com.