Buffalo’s HealthNow Fined $700K

Buffalo-based HealthNow, a health insurer, has been fined $700,000 by the State Department of Financial Services.

The company failed to fully explain their benefits and how to appeal claims denied to some members.

HealthNow, which includes BlueShield of Northeastern New York, has agreed to a stipulation to take steps to remedy the notification shortfalls and other areas for which they were cited.

Healthnow was also cited for about 164,000 instances of failing to provide explanation of benefit statements as required by law and for failing to provide certificates of appointment for its agents.