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Ahrens Named Health Care
Provider Ombudsman for Texas Department of
Insurance
AUSTIN – Texas
Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin announced
the appointment of Jennifer Ahrens as Health
Care Provider Ombudsman for the Texas Department
of Insurance (TDI). Ahrens, formerly General
Counsel and Advisor for the Governor’s Office of
Budget, Planning, and Policy, is currently TDI’s
Associate Commissioner for Life, Health &
Licensing. The ombudsman position was formerly
held by Audrey Selden, Senior Associate
Commissioner of TDI’s Consumer Protection
division.
The provider ombudsman program was developed in
2001 following legislation that addressed the
issue of prompt payment for medical insurance
claims. Specifically, the role of the provider
ombudsman is to assist health care providers in
their dealings with insurance carriers. The
provider ombudsman expedites resolution of
provider complaints and analyzes complaint data
for patterns or particularly serious violations
that require corrective action. In some cases
the provider ombudsman suggests changes in TDI
rules if necessary to improve compliance with
insurance laws.
In making the announcement, Geeslin cited a
shift in priorities for the program. "Thanks to
the efforts of Audrey Selden and her staff, the
number of complaints involving slow payment has
fallen dramatically," said Geeslin. "We’re now
moving into a refinement phase and looking at
prompt pay issues relative to the evolution of
the health care industry. Ms. Ahrens will
provide strong leadership in that area."
For more information contact: PIO@tdi.state.tx.us
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