Minnesota county’s HMO gets $6 million bailout

Metropolitan Health Plan, an insurance program for the needy in Hennepin County, MN, required a $6 million emergency bailout to meet minimum reserves and stay in compliance with state law. An antiquated billing system was blamed for much of the financial shortfall after Metropolitan learned from auditors that it was overpaying some care providers and underbilling others. The plan has about 25,000 enrollees who are part of government-backed programs such as Medicaid, MinnesotaCare and General Assistance Medical Care.