Electronic Claims Submissions up 50 Percent at AmeriHealth as Health Care Providers Embrace Technology

Insurer helping its providers save time, money
by eliminating paper transactions

Three out of four claims now submitted via computer
ISELIN & MT. LAUREL, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
Three out of every four insurance claims from health care providers are being
submitted electronically to AmeriHealth New Jersey. That`s an increase of 50
percent over the past three years, the insurer said today.

Roughly 75 percent of all claims are now transmitted to AmeriHealth by computer
as health care providers continue to move away from more expensive and
time-consuming paper transactions. The insurer`s goal is to have 90 percent of
all provider claims submitted via computer within the next two years.

"We are working in close partnership with our providers to help them make the
shift," said Judith Roman, AmeriHealth New Jersey president and CEO. "Electronic
claims submissions provide a significant opportunity for both providers and
insurers to improve their efficiency."

According to the American Medical Association, the nation`s health care system
would save an estimated $90 billion annually if physicians and payers handled
the three billion claims submitted each year electronically rather than on
paper.

"Doing these activities electronically saves not only money but valuable staff
time, and it speeds up the processing of individual claims," Roman said.
Handling claims electronically also reduces the potential for errors and the
need to resubmit claims multiple times.

Barbara Fargnoli, billing manager at DiMarino, Kroop, Prieto, GI Associates, PA,
a seven-physician practice in Woodbury, N.J., said, "At one point we weren`t
electronic. But with AmeriHealth`s help, we`re now submitting all our claims
electronically. The turnaround time for claim payment has been great - on
average it`s two weeks faster than if the claim had been submitted on paper."

A 2006 study conducted by the consulting firm Milliman Inc. estimated that
health care providers could save between 50 percent and 90 percent per claim
using electronic submission instead of paper.

AmeriHealth began reaching out to its provider network about three years ago to
encourage physicians and other health care providers to shift from paper to
electronic claims submissions and other transactions. "Some of our providers
have needed our assistance in making the transition," Roman said. "So we created
a team dedicated to helping providers make the change."

In addition to submitting health claims electronically, AmeriHealth said there
has been a substantial increase in other activities providers can perform
electronically, including verifying a patient`s insurance eligibility and
handing precertification for medical procedures and hospitalizations.

Promoting the use of efficient technology among its provider network remains a
top priority for AmeriHealth.

ABOUT AMERIHEALTH NEW JERSEY

AmeriHealth HMO, Inc. and AmeriHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey
(collectively, "AmeriHealth New Jersey") provide health insurance coverage to
employers and individuals throughout New Jersey. AmeriHealth New Jersey has one
of the largest provider networks in New Jersey, and those networks include
access to hospitals and doctors across the nation. The company is also committed
to offering value-added insurance solutions for customers through AmeriHealth
New Jersey`s innovative wellness and incentive programs and benefits designs.

AmeriHealth New Jersey earned top ratings for customer service and quality of
care as part of the state`s recent health plan performance report. Additionally,
the company`s managed care plan, AmeriHealth HMO Inc., has received the highest
possible accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) by
meeting NCQA`s rigorous evaluation standards.

AmeriHealth New Jersey has offices in Mt. Laurel and Iselin. For more
information on AmeriHealth New Jersey, visit www.AmeriHealth.com.

AmeriHealth New Jersey
Stacy Peters, 856-778-6525
Stacy.Peters@AmeriHealth.com
or
Mann Communications
Phil Mann, 212-207-9232
Phil@MannCommunications.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009