Business memo 11/03/03

Insurance errors lead to $1 million refund in state

Three major insurers have completed $1 million in refunds to more than 11,000 Missouri policyholders and 39 health-care facilities for errors detected in market conduct examinations by the Department of Insurance.

For example, State Farm Insurance Cos. repaid 127 policyholders or claimants in the amount of $334,369. Those people had been injured in automobile accidents, but some medical expenses were not allowed on the recommendations of an outside company. The insurer, however, could not show that a licensed doctor or chiropractor had reviewed the claims before the denials were made.

Shelter Insurance paid $317,769 to more than 6,000 policyholders who were overcharged on their auto insurance premiums. Humana Health Plan refunded $345,577 to 4,647 policyholders in the Kansas City area because the insurance company had improperly calculated co-payments and deductibles.

Business center holding counseling sessions

The Small Business Development Center will be conducting counseling sessions for area small business people planning business ventures. The counselor, Gil Degenhardt, will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road. Call 335-3312 for an appointment.

Degenhardt will also be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Southeast Regional Planning Commission in Perryville, Mo. Call (573) 547-8357.

The counseling sessions last about an hour and are free.

-- From staff reports