Help me find this insurance article..

[jfulcer]

I read an story within the last 2 weeks or so about how insurance companies use a national database to store and track information about their members. This wasn't just one insurance company, it was all of them.

It tracks information concerning diagnoses, denials, etc. I need to find that link again and can't seem to.

Did you read this?

My guess is it was on MSN, because that's what I normally read, but can't be sure. It may have been CNN.

Thanks!

 

[Eeyore1954]

I don't know what article you read, but you are referring to "CLUE" (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange). This is a computer database that stores about 90% of all insurance claims filed in the U.S. (includes homeowners, renters, auto, etc.) CLUE is maintained by Choicepoint, a company in Georgia. Most insurance carriers in the U.S. submit claims data, including amounts paid for various claim items, to Choicepoint, which makes the data available to member companies to use in making underwriting decisions.

One point of contention between customers, insurance carriers and Choicepoint is on exactly WHAT is reported. Some companies report only actual claims filed against insurance policies, which is what Choicepoint wants. However, some companies file information when a customer simply asks a question about coverage/deductibles or challenges a claims adjustment decision. It's this latter information that tends to muck up the database, inflating what appears to be claims from some areas, causing companies to become stricter in underwriting (sometimes referred to as red-lining).

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.mib.com/

 

[jfulcer]

Thanks Dan and Eeyore. I think it was CLUE that I had heard about. but I'm not surprised that there is another one.

We are filling out 'Personal Wellness Profiles' up at work for our insurance (self funded) to help with reducing claims and I was concerned these profiles may become part of these databases.

They assured me up and down that only two associates at the insurance company deal with these profiles, and the only information that is shared is aggregate and only with us.