Cummings Probes Health Insurance Execs CAPITOL HILL (wypr) - On Capitol Hill this week - Congressman Elijah Cummings had some tough questions for major health insurance executives. The Maryland Democrat is trying to figure out how private insurers decide whom to cover and which claims to pay. Sara Sciammacco reports from Washington.

Insurers have been accused of profiting from denying claims for very sick people. Congressman Cummings wanted to know if executive salaries and bonuses were tied to denials. He grilled Aetna's Patricia Farrell.

"You say ever I can speak for ever. To your knowledge have you? To my knowledge, No. I see your lawyer is trying to advise you are welcome to do so because we are going to follow up on this. Are you finished Mr. Lawyer? To my knowledge no."

The committee asked executives to turn over more internal records. Cigna's Tom Richards said billing errors must be taken into account when analyzing denials.

"We for instance denied or did not pay 215 million claims for fraud and abuse. Now again these would be situations where the individual has already received the care but the doctors or providers inappropriately billing for that."

Democrats also tried to drum up support for their health care proposals -- which would ensure people with pre-existing conditions are not denied care.
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