The N.C. Department of Insurance ruled in SEANC's favor on Nov. 16 in the association's fight to stop double billing by hospitals on radiological exams.

The decision will save the State Health Plan and its members more than $5 million annually. SEANC partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, who administers the State Health Plan, in the fight.

"This decision is only fair, and will save our members money," said SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope. "We applaud the Department of Insurance for standing up for working families who already pay far too much for health care."

The complaint stemmed from an unfair but not uncommon practice where hospitals and providers charge patients each time an image was taken for so-called "technical component" fees on services like preparing an exam room or setting up IV fluids – even though those services had only been performed once during the session.

The Department of Insurance ruled that BCBSNC could move forward with a proposed policy to stop paying double for those services once – similar to how Medicare reimburses for radiology procedures.

The fight began in September 2011 and the state initially sided with the providers. SEANC then joined the fight, filing legal briefs in support of BCBSNC's policy, which led to last month's decision.

Providers and medical groups have vowed to continue to fight the ruling by appealing it to Superior Court.