The Missouri Department of Insurance reported last week that in 2022 alone, the MDI worked to return over 24 million dollars to residents. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
According to a press release, one notable resolution last year, a Missouri consumer filed a complaint regarding denying their emergency room claims at an out-of-network hospital. After the Missouri Department of Insurance corresponded with the company, it paid the emergency room claims – resulting in a recovery total of more than $115,000.
Last year, the Insurance Consumer Affairs Division handled over 5,500 inquiries and complaints, which returned more than $13.7 million to consumers. In addition, the division processed nearly 24,000 consumer communications via phone and email. The most significant driver of complaints continues to be health insurance; there was also an increase in calls and complaints related to property and casualty insurance.
Claim denials and delays remain among the top reasons for complaints. Consumers with complaints or questions about their insurance company can call DCI’s Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390 or visit their website at insurance.mo.gov/consumers. For 89 9 KRPS News, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro