Mitchell employs National Health Quest to reduce injury expenses

By Deborah Hirsch
TMCnet Contributor

Mitchell, a provider of technology, connectivity and information solutions to the property and casualty and claims and collision repair industries, announced today it has acquired National Health Quest, Inc. (NHQ).

NHQ provides negotiated out-of-network payment services to help companies control injury costs while aiding those who are injured, according to a company press release.

The acquisition helps Mitchell expand from its capabilities in injury claims medical cost management by allowing the company to “deliver even higher levels of efficient, cost-effective and service-sensitive claims handling to their customers,” according to the source.

Employee injuries happen everywhere, even with the best prevention tactics present. But companies are compelled to handle them well, and those who can control costs may see the least harm to their bottom lines. OSHA estimates employers pay almost $1 billion per week for direct workers' compensation costs alone.

"Mitchell is focused on providing solutions that produce measurably better outcomes for our clients," said Alex Sun, president and CEO of Mitchell. "The acquisition of NHQ further exemplifies our commitment to key, strategic relationships and investments that enable us to develop and deliver the industry's top software and service solutions to the P&C and claims markets. We are excited to extend Mitchell NHQ Negotiation Services to our auto casualty and workers' compensation customers."

"There is tremendous value that can be delivered to the injury claims handling community via the appropriate integration and use of specialized out-of-network negotiation services within the claims handling value chain," added J.L. Fersch, Jr., president and founder of National Health Quest. "Approximately 50-70% of medical charges are generated by providers who are currently not part of a provider network, and NHQ is the leader in addressing the full spectrum of out-of-network charges, not just large claims.”

NHQ will let Mitchell expand its out-of-network negotiation service to Mitchell clients, according to the source. Mitchell will continue to maintain relationships with other out-of-network negotiation service providers “to offer Mitchell clients the service options that are best suited to their needs,” and will not change its relationships with any of its out-of-network negotiation service partners.

Employee salaries are only one part of a business’s costs. “The cost of one typical injury is far more expensive than the salary of a safety professional or upgrading an existing safety program,” experts say. 

“Safety is a smart business decision.”