Standard&Poor's Rating Services today commented on the U.S Justice Department's decision to join a whistle-blower lawsuit that accuses Highmark Inc. (A+/Negative/--) of intentionally misapplying Medicare Secondary Payer rules in causing the filing of more than $20 million in false claims for reimbursement from Medicare. These claims are for certain Medicare beneficiaries where Highmark-administered employer group health plans, not Medicare, are responsible for the primary payment of the claims. The lawsuit maintains that Highmark intentionally failed to comply with a 1995 agreement with Medicare to correct the improper processing of these claims to Medicare. The lawsuit also accuses Highmark of demoting an employee who sought to correct the improper processing practice. The lawsuit seeks triple damages against Highmark for
