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Feb. 23, 2018JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. |  By: Pinney

American Heart Association combats decision by Athem insurance

The American Heart Association is combatting a recent decision by health insurance provider Anthem. American Heart Association Missouri Government Relations Director Karen Englert says Anthem has recently chosen to re-evaluate emergency room visits based on whether or not they turned out to be actual emergencies.

Because of how similar symptoms may present when it comes to heart attacks vs. other non-medically serious conditions, Englert says the American Heart Association encourages people to go to the emergency room because they are not able to make expert evaluations. She says the Association is working to educate the public and legislators alike on the subject. Part of that education, Englert says, is encouraging legislators to take a bill on prudent laypersons under consideration.

As part of Missouri's prudent layperson standard, the State Senate is currently considering Senate Bill 982, which would block Anthem's decision and prevent it from coming up in the future. Englert says it's important to call your legislators to make sure they know where you stand on the issue.