Post Claims Underwriting and Rescission Practices: Findings from Texas in the Individual Health Insurance Market

This Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) primer examines the insurance practice of post-claims underwriting and rescission in Texas, concluding that consumers are vulnerable and that Texas state law fails to “clearly and consistently” reflect federal HIPPA standards.  The primer also highlights lessons from the case study that have broader national impact. 

From RWJF:

This case study examines the current state of post-claims underwriting and rescissions regulation in Texas. The authors report that consumers are vulnerable in today’s individual insurance market and that Texas state law does not clearly and consistently reflect the federal HIPAA standard, which could create loopholes in consumer protections. The authors also note that the Texas case offers important lessons for national health reform on five key topics:

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2009). Post claims underwriting and rescission practices: findings from Texas in the individual health insurance market. Harbage Consulting. Hilary Haycock, Meredith K. Ledford, Peter Harbage.

Full report: http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/texascasestudyaug2009.pdf