Health care consumers save $2.5 million

The Office of the Healthcare Advocate saved Connecticut health care consumers $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2013, according to agency’s quarterly report.

The OHA intervenes on the behalf of consumers when coverage is denied for a necessary procedure or when a bill is made in error, among other instances.

Last quarter’s savings came from several complex medical case appeals, including several cases of adolescent mental health treatments.

The saving thus far, cover the agency’s entire fiscal year budget, according to the OHA.

With the Affordable Care Act, the OHA recently took on the role as the outreach and consumer assistance manager for the state’s health care exchange. So far this year the agency has held 63 outreach events.