Report ranks Aetna, Cigna most efficient, accurate among health insurers in reimbursements to physicians

Aetna ranked first among 130 large health insurers in efficiency and accuracy in reimbursements to physicians, and Cigna ranked second, according to a report scheduled for release on Thursday by Athenahealth, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The report -- based on data from about 13,000 clients of Athenahealth, which provides physicians with practice management and electronic health record services -- rated health insurers on seven criteria, such as the length of time taken to reimburse physicians, the percentage of claims processed after one submission and the rate of denials of claims.

According to the report, Aetna in 2007 took an average of 27 days to reimburse physicians, processed 96% of claims after one submission and denied 5.9% of claims. Cigna, which ranked second, in 2007 took an average of 33 days to reimburse physicians, processed 96% of claims after one submission and denied 6.6% of claims, the report found. The New York state Medicaid program, which ranked last, in 2007 took an average of 137 days to reimburse physicians, processed 57% of claims after one submission and denied 39% of claims, according to the report.

The report, which Athenahealth began to compile in 2005, highlights the "greater push toward performance measurements and transparency across the health care sector," the Journal reports (Won Tesoriero, Wall Street Journal, 5/29).