Aetna and Optum Finalize Nearly $8.4M Settlement Over “Dummy Code” Allegations of Hiding Admin Expenses in Patients’ Charges

Aetna and Optum have finalized an almost $8.4 million class settlement over allegations that the two companies used so-called “dummy codes” to hide administrative expenses in patients’ medical charges, driving up their out-of-pocket costs.

The settlement approved Thursday by the Western District Court of North Carolina requires Aetna to pay $4.6 million and Optum to pay $200,000 into a settlement fund covering patients and health plans for the overpayments. Aetna has also agreed to pay almost $3.6 million in attorneys’ fees.

Read more at Healthcare Dive