ATTN: Health Reporters
Assistance Available to Help Consumers Resolve Coverage Disputes with Their HMO or Insurance Carrier

BALTIMORE, MD (August 1, 2008) – Has your insurance carrier declined to cover a medical procedure? Have a billing dispute with your insurance carrier? FREE help is available from the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. The Consumer Protection Division has a Unit that specializes in assisting people with a variety of health insurance-related problems – the Health Education and Advocacy Unit (HEAU).

For example, the Health Education and Advocacy Unit can assist consumers:

• if their health plan has refused to cover a medical procedure or pay for a medical service;
• if a consumer needs help resolving a billing dispute with a health care provider; or
• if a consumer needs help resolving a billing or warranty dispute about medical equipment that is defective or was never delivered.

Many consumers are unaware of the resources available to them when their insurance carrier has denied coverage and they either choose to do without necessary medical treatment or pay out of pocket for procedures that may indeed be covered.

Consumers have a variety of ways to contact the HEAU. Call Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 410-528-1840 or 887-261-8807 (toll free throughout Maryland). They may also file a complaint over the Internet at http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/HEAU.htm. Finally, they can send a letter to:

The Health Education and Advocacy Unit
Consumer Protection Division
200 Saint Paul Place, 16th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21202