According to Health Care Risk Management principles outlined by ASHRM and the American Hospital Association Certification Center, evaluation of a claims management program focuses on efficiency, financial accuracy, and proactive identification of risk exposures.
Indemnity-to-expense ratios are important performance indicators that measure the proportion of funds spent on compensation versus defense costs. A balanced ratio reflects efficient claim handling and appropriate litigation management. The percentage of cases resolved within reserves evaluates the accuracy of initial reserve setting and ongoing claims assessment, demonstrating financial forecasting effectiveness.
Additionally, the percentage of cases identified prior to formal claim filing reflects proactive risk identification and early intervention practices, which may reduce litigation costs and improve resolution outcomes.
In contrast, the total number of cases reported alone does not measure program effectiveness, as volume may be influenced by patient population, service lines, or reporting culture rather than management quality.
Claims and litigation objectives emphasize accurate reserving, early case identification, and cost-effective resolution strategies. Therefore, indemnity-to-expense ratios, resolution within reserves, and early case identification are appropriate metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of a claims management program.