Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield`s Community Insurance Company Signs Consent Order Agreeing to Inaccurate On-line Provider Directory

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson announced that Community Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, has signed a Consent Order with the Department, agreeing that its on-line provider directory for mental health providers in Hamilton County is inaccurate and therefore misleading to consumers.

The Department investigated a complaint that the company was misrepresenting its provider network by identifying providers as "in network" when the providers were unreachable, not in the company's network or in the network, but not accepting new patients. The company has agreed to take the necessary steps to regularly assure greater accuracy in all of its provider directories and must do so no later than July 1, 2008.

To read the Consent Order, visit the Administrative Actions section on the Department's web site and search for Community Insurance Company.

Ohioans who have insurance questions, need educational material or want to file a complaint against their insurance company or agent, can do so by calling the Department toll-free at 1-800-686-1526.

The Ohio Department of Insurance regulates and licenses nearly 1,700 insurance companies, more than 249,000 agents, and about 18,000 insurance agencies, and monitors the financial solvency of the insurance industry in Ohio.

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