Adjusted historical payment basis (AHPB)

Average payment for the service in a locality under the current system. AHPB is based on the average prevailing charge Medicare paid all physicians in a particular geographic area for a specific service. “Adjusted” means reduced by a percent to ensure that the fee schedule phase-in is budget neutral. Medicare carriers used ADPBs to figure blended payment rates during the transition period before implementation of the RBRVS system of payment.

Adjuster

A person who investigates and settles losses for an insurance carrier.
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1. Employed representative of the insurance company who is responsible for handling insurance claims as they are received from patients and medical practices and who determines the dollar amount of a claim or debt. 2. In industrial cases, a representative of the insurer who investigates, evaluates, and negotiates the patient’s insurance claim and acts for the company in the settlement of claims. Adjusters may be employees of the insurance company or an individual operating independently and hired by a company to adjust a particular loss. Also called claims administrator, claims examiner, claims processor, claim representative, or health insurance adjuster.

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A person who may act either on behalf of the insurance company or the insured in the settling of a claim. Employee adjusters work for an insurer, while independent adjusters represent the insurance company on a fee basis and public adjusters represent the insured on a fee basis.

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Individual at the workers’ compensation insurance carrier overseeing an industrial case, authorizing diagnostic testing and medical treatment, and communicating with the provider of medical care.

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One who settles insurance claims. This typically involves investigation of the loss and a determination of the extent of coverage. In the context of first-party (e.g., property) insurance, the adjuster negotiates a settlement with the insured. In liability insurance, the adjuster coordinates the insured’s defense and participates in settlement negotiations. Adjusters may be employees of the insurer (staff adjusters) or of independent adjusting bureaus (independent adjusters) that represent insurers and self-insureds on a contract basis. Public adjusters are consultants who specialize in assisting insureds in presenting claims to insurance companies in a manner that will maximize their recovery.

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Person responsible for the evaluation and settlement of an insured claim. An adjuster may be an employee of an Insurer, or an individual operating independently and engaged by an Insurer or insured to adjust a particular loss or claim. Insurance Company adjuster -Adjuster who is a full time employee of an Insurer, adjusting only losses and claims covered by that Insurer. Public adjuster -Independent adjuster hired by any Insurer or insured to represent that client’s interest in the adjustment of a specific, often complex insured loss or claim.Adjuster Average : An adjuster who specializes in adjusting marine losses.

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See LOSS ADJUSTER.

Adjusters

companies use adjusters to negotiate settlements of claims for damages by a policyholder. Adjusters fall into three categories: employees of insurance companies, public adjusters, and independent adjusters. adjusters are employed by insurance companies to evaluate losses and settle claims with policyholders. The adjuster represents the insurance company and seeks to minimize damage costs for the company while maintaining a positive relationship with the insured. The adjuster also gathers information from the insured and collects evidence of the loss in case of future legal actionor intervention by an attorney. Another type of adjuster is the public adjuster. Public adjusters are retained by the insured to negotiate with insurance company. Public adjusters work on behalf of the policyholder and seek to maximize the claim payout for the insured. For his or her services, public adjusters normally receive a portion of the claims settlement.The third type of adjuster is the independent adjuster. Independent adjusters are independent contractors and for multiple insurance companies. Their services are retained by insurance companies who do not employ adjusters, do not have adjusters in a particular geographic area, or need additional adjusters for a disaster.

Adjusting

The process of settling loss with or by an Insurance Buyer.

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US: The process of investigating and settling losses with or by an insurance carrier.