Just a Small % of Ineligibles Leads to Large Savings

Business Situation

This client provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees and their families, but wished to avoid payment of healthcare claims for ineligible dependents. To accomplish this, the client hired BMI to conduct a dependent eligibility audit partnering with Human Resources as an outside independent auditor.

Client Profile

  • Refiner and marketer of petroleum products

  • 4,000 employees covering 9,733 dependents for a total of 13,733 members

Audit Finding

  • 292 dependents or 3% of total dependents were determined to be ineligible for coverage.

  • The most common reasons for ineligibility included availability of other coverage, divorces and common law marriage which was not recognized in certain states.

Audit Benefits

Following the audit’s 99% response rate, coverage was terminated immediately for 292 ineligible dependents. First year savings calculation:

  • Average annual cost per dependent: $3,336

  • Annual savings for ineligible dependents removed: $974,112

  • Return on investment: $1,637%