South Portland-based Anthem Health Plans of Maine faces a $225,000 fine from the state's Bureau of Insurance for repeatedly failing to respond to policyholders' complaints within 14 days as required by state law, reports Bangor Daily News.
The delays prompted Anthem to fire one employee and a manager the insurer said was responsible for the delays, according to the report. In a consent agreement, Anthem said it will pay the fine and put forth a plan to prevent future delays in the next 30 days.
The bureau's Market Conduct Work Unit began a full review of Anthem after investigators found several consumer complaints incurred late or absent responses. In addition, the bureau found Anthem failed to file specific annual data reports or help the bureau complete examination in a timely manner, according to the report. An Anthem spokesperson said the company fully cooperated during the investigation.
"Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is committed to providing the highest quality service to our members. Unfortunately, the actions of one individual did not live up to that commitment," Anthem spokesperson Colin Manning wrote in an email to Bangor Daily News. "We take our obligations very seriously, and the cases identified by the Bureau of Insurance were not handled in accordance with our own internal policies or state law."