OHIO DOI RECOVERED $5 MILLION IN HEALTH-CARE SERVICES:

Ohio’s Patient Protection Act, which allows qualified consumers to appeal the denial, reduction or termination of health care services by their health carrier, has saved Ohioans nearly $5 million since May 2000—including more than $1 million last year—Insurance Director Ann Womer Benjamin announced. The annual Patient Protection Act report was delivered this week to Ohio General Assembly leadership and Gov. Taft, who signed the Act into law on July 13, 1999 expanding protection for Ohio’s health care consumers. In the 44 months since the program began, 1,889 cases have been conducted through external independent review organizations and contract reviews. A total of $4.7 million in previously denied insurance benefits has been recovered for Ohio health care consumers, Womer Benjamin said.