Plan Administrator: International Medical Group | AM Best Rating: A "Excellent" | Underwriter: Sirius International
CLAIMS NOTIFICATION: All claims and related claim information should be filed with the Company through the Plan Administrator at the contact information below, or online at www.imglobal.com/member as soon as possible:
International Medical Group
Attn: Claims Department
PO Box 9162
Farmington Hills, MI 48333-9162
USA
Proof of Claim:
When the Insured person receives treatment or the company receives notice of a claim for benefits under this insurance, the Insured Person shall submit an International Medical Group (IMG) Claim Form as a necessary component of the Proof of Claim. An IMG Claim Form may be obtained from the form’s library on www.imglobal.com or completed online via the MyIMG customer portal.
a) A duly completed, timely submitted and signed IMG Claim Form for each new Illness, diagnosed or Inquiry unless the company waives such requirement in writing.
b) An Authorization for Release of Medical Information when specifically requested by IMG
c) All original Universal Billing Forms, Superbill and statements of service rendered from Physicians, Hospitals, and other healthcare or medical service providers involved with respect to the claim.
d) All original receipts for any costs, prescription medications, fee or expenses that have been incurred or paid by, or on behalf, the Insured Person with respect to the claims, including without limitation all original receipts for any cash and/or credit card payments. The provider of service’s full name, address, telephone number(including area/country code), date of service, description of service, description of service (applicable procedure codes),and diagnosis codes must be included on the receipts.
e) If the claims are submitted electronically, copies of the above items are acceptable; however the company reserves the right to request the original documents.
f) The Insured Person and/or Physician, Hospital and other healthcare and medical service providers and suppliers shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the date a claim is incurred to submit a complete Proof of Claim. The Company at its option may pend resolution and adjudication of submitted claims and/or may deny coverage due to either of the following:
(i) an incomplete Proof of Claim
(ii) failure to submit a Proof of Claim
(iii) Insured Person’s, Physician’s, or Hospital failure to submit a timely Proof of Claim.
c) The company may require the Insured Person to sign an Authorization for Release of Medical Information to request medical records on their behalf or supply us with additional documentation if we are unable to make a benefit determination based on the submitted Proof of Claim. The Insured Person and/or Physician, Hospital and other healthcare and medical service providers and suppliers shall have sixty (60) days from the date of the request to submit the requested information. If the information is not received within the designated time period, previously submitted and subsequent claims will be denied.
APPEALING A CLAIM: In the event the Company denies all or part of a claim, the Insured Person shall have sixty (60) days from the date that the notice of denial was mailed to the Insured Person's last known residence or mailing address within which to appeal the determination. The Insured Person must file an appeal prior to bringing any legal action under the contract of insurance. The Insured Person should submit a written request for an appeal along with comments, all relevant, pertinent or related documents, medical records, and other information relating to the claim.
The appeal must be sent to:
International Medical Group
Attn: Benefit Review 2960 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
USA
The Company’s review will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the Insured Person relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial claim determination. Upon receipt of a written appeal, the Company shall have an opportunity for further reasonable investigation and/or review as set forth in the CONDITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS, EXPLANATION OR VERIFICATION OF BENEFITS provision, and will respond in writing as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event within ninety (90) days from receipt thereof.
SUBROGATION CLAUSE: The Insured Person shall undertake to pursue in his/her own name and stead, and to fully cooperate with the Company in the pursuit and prosecution of, any and all valid claims that the Insured Person may have against any third party who may be liable or responsible for any loss or damage arising out of any act, omission or occurrence which results or may result in a loss payment, provision of benefits, or coverage of claim by the Company under this insurance, and to fully account to the Company for any amounts recovered or recoverable in connection therewith, on the basis that the Company shall be reimbursed and entitled to recover first in full for any sums paid or to be paid by it before the Insured Person shares in any amount so recovered.
The Insured Person further agrees and understands that the Company requires the Insured Person to complete a subrogation questionnaire, sign an acknowledgment of the Company's subrogation rights and sign an agreement before the Company considers paying, or continues to pay, any claims. Should the Insured Person fail to so cooperate, account, or to prosecute any valid claims against any such third party or parties, and the Company thereupon or otherwise becomes liable or otherwise obligated to make payment under the Terms of this insurance, then the Company shall be fully subrogated to all rights and interests of the Insured Person with respect thereto and may prosecute such claims in its own name as subrogee.
The Insured Person’s submission of Proof of Claim or acceptance of coverage or benefits under this insurance shall be deemed to constitute an authorization, consent and assignment of such subrogation rights by the Insured Person to the Company. The Insured Person agrees the Company has a secured proprietary interest in any settlement proceeds the Insured Person receives or may be entitled to receive.
The Insured Person understands and agrees the Company is entitled to a constructive trust interest in the proceeds of any settlement or recovery. The Insured Person agrees to include the Company as a co-payee on any settlement check or check from any third party or insurer. The Insured Person agrees he/she will not release any party or their insured without prior written approval from the Company, and will take no action which prejudices the Company's rights.
The Insured Person is obligated to inform their legal representative of the Company’s rights and lien and to make no distributions from any settlement or judgment which will in any way result in the Company receiving less than the full amount of its lien without the written approval of the Company. Any amount recovered by the Company in accordance with the foregoing shall first be used to pay in full the costs and expenses of collection incurred by the Company, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, and for reimbursement to the Company for any amount that it may have paid or become liable to pay under this insurance. Any remaining amounts recovered shall be paid to the Insured Person or other persons lawfully entitled thereto, as applicable. In the event that the Insured Person receives any form or type of settlement and either fails or refuses to abide by the Terms of this insurance contract, in addition to any other remedies the Company may have, the Company retains a right of equitable offset against future claims.
OTHER INSURANCE: The Company shall not be liable or obligated to provide any coverage or benefits or to pay or reimburse any claim under this insurance if there is any other insurance, membership benefit, workers’ or workplace compensation coverage program or other government program, reimbursement or indemnification coverage, right of contribution, recoupment or recovery, contract, or any other third-party obligation or liability for provision of benefits (“Other Coverage”) which would, or would but for the existence of this insurance, be available or obligated to provide such benefit or to pay or reimburse or provide indemnity for such claim, except in respect of any excess beyond the amount payable or provided under such Other Coverage had this insurance not been effected. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be liable or obligated to provide any benefit or to pay or reimburse any claim for any Insured Person in respect to Treatment or supplies furnished by any program or agency funded by any government or governmental authority
COOPERATION: The Insured Person and his/her Physicians, Hospitals and other healthcare and medical service providers and suppliers shall undertake to cooperate fully with the Company and the Plan Administrator in reviewing, investigating, adjudicating, considering an appeal of, and/or administering any claim for benefits under this insurance, including granting full right of access to all relevant, pertinent or related records, medical documentation, medical histories, reports, laboratory or test results, x-rays, and all other available evidence relating to or affecting the review, investigation, adjudication or administration of the claim. The Company at its own expense shall have the right and opportunity to examine all evidence related to a claim when and as often as it may reasonably require during the pendency of a claim hereunder. The Company at its option may suspend or pend adjudication of a claim and/or may deny benefits and/or coverage for a claim when any of the following has occurred:
(a) a refusal to so cooperate
(b) an unreasonable delay in such cooperation
(c) any other act or omission on the part of the Insured Person and/or his/her healthcare providers which hinders, delays, impairs or otherwise prejudices the performance of the Company’s obligations under this insurance.
CLAIM SETTLEMENT: Eligible and covered claims for Eligible Medical Expenses or other benefits under this insurance that have previously been paid by or on behalf of the Insured Person at the time of the Company’s favorable adjudication thereof will be reimbursed by the Company directly to the Insured Person, by check, at his/her last known residence or mailing address. While this insurance is in effect, in order to effectuate proper administration, the Insured Person shall undertake to promptly notify the Company of any change in such addresses. Eligible and covered claims for Eligible Medical Expenses or other benefits under this insurance that have not been paid by or on behalf of the Insured Person at the time of adjudication will be paid by the Company by check or electronic funds transfer to the Insured Person at his/her last known residence or mailing address, or, at the sole option and discretion of the Company (but without obligation to do so), and as an accommodation to the Insured Person, directly to the provider(s), as applicable. All claim settlements, payments and reimbursements are subject to the insurance plan shown in the Declaration and all other Terms of this insurance. No healthcare or medical service provider or supplier, or any other third-party, shall have any direct or indirect interest, claim or right of action against the Company under this Certificate, the Declaration or the Master Policy, whether by purported assignment of benefits, subrogation of interests or otherwise, unless first expressly agreed and consented to in writing by the Company, and notwithstanding the Company’s exercise or failure to exercise any option or discretion under this provision regarding the method of claim payment. No such provider, supplier or other third-party is intended to have or shall have any rights as a third-party beneficiary under this Certificate, the Declaration, or the Master Policy.
FRAUDULENT CLAIMS: A person who knowingly and with intent to defraud the Company files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information commits a felony. If any claim or request for benefits under this insurance shall knowingly be in any respect false, incomplete, misleading, concealing, fraudulent or deceitful, or if the nsured Person or anyone acting for or on his/her behalf under this insurance knowingly uses any false, incomplete, misleading, concealing, fraudulent or deceitful statements regarding the Insured Person, the insurance contract and all coverage thereunder may be cancelled, voided, rescinded and terminated by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion, and the Company shall have no obligation or liability for any such benefits, coverage or claims.
ARBITRATION: With the exception of Florida residents’ option to refer to arbitration, no claim for benefits for which liability, eligibility, or coverage under this insurance has been denied in whole or in part by the Company nor any other dispute or controversy arising under or related to this insurance shall be arbitrable or subject to arbitration under any circumstances or for any reason.
PATIENT ADVOCACY: Neither the Company nor the Plan Administrator shall have any right, obligation, or authority of any kind to ultimately select Physicians, Hospitals, or other healthcare or health service providers for the Insured Person or to make any medical Treatment decisions for or on behalf of the Insured Person, and all such decisions shall be made solely and exclusively by the Insured Person and/or his/her guardians, Relatives, treating Physicians and other healthcare providers. Subject to the foregoing, the Company may determine that a particular claim, benefit, Treatment or diagnosis occurring under or relating to this insurance may be placed under the Company’s “Patient Advocacy” program to ensure that Medically Necessary Treatment and supplies are provided in the most cost-effective manner. In the event the Company determines that a claim, benefit, Treatment, or diagnosis meets the Company’s Patient Advocacy program guidelines, the Company will notify the Insured Person as soon as reasonably practicable, and a Patient Advocate will be assigned to the Insured Person. Thereafter, the Company’s Patient Advocate may make evaluations and/or recommendations of Treatment settings, procedures and/or supplies that may be more cost effective for the Company and/or the Insured Person. Such recommendations will be made with input from the Insured Person and/or the Insured Person's guardians, Relatives, treating Physicians and/or other healthcare providers, and will be made only when it can be reasonably demonstrated that the Medically Necessary Treatment and/or supplies can be provided in a more cost-effective manner to the Company and/or the Insured Person. The Company will use its best efforts to evaluate and recommend Treatment settings and/or procedures and/or supplies that can reasonably be expected to result in the same or better care of the Insured Person. The Insured Person is under no obligation to accept or follow any of the Company’s recommendations. However, if the Insured Person accepts and follows any of the Company's recommendations, the Insured Person agrees to hold the Company and the Company’s agents and representatives, including the Patient Advocate, harmless from same, and the Company shall not be held liable or otherwise responsible for any Treatment or supply provided to the Insured Person except for the payment of claims and benefits eligible for coverage under the Terms of this insurance. After the Insured Person has been notified that the claim, Treatment, benefit or diagnosis meets the Company’s Patient Advocacy program guidelines, the Company reserves the right, at its option and in its sole discretion without liability
(a) to make payment for Treatment and/or supplies which, although not expressly covered under this insurance, may be beneficial to the Insured Person and cost effective to the Company; and/or
(b) to deny coverage and/or benefits for any Charges, including Eligible Medical Expenses otherwise eligible for coverage but for the Terms of this provision, which exceed the amount the Company would have covered had the Insured Person accepted and followed the recommendations of the Patient Advocacy program.