Robert J. Stillman spent 25 years as an in-house lawyer at health insurer Aetna, most recently as vice president and counsel, so it was an adjustment transitioning from client to outside counsel when he left Aetna in October to join a West Hartford law firm earlier this year.
Robert J. Stillman spent 25 years as an in-house lawyer at health insurer Aetna, most recently as vice president and counsel, so it was an adjustment transitioning from client to outside counsel when he left Aetna in October to join a West Hartford law firm earlier this year.
Stillman is a lawyer for Pierce LLC, where he's working on cases involving fraudulent overbilling by care providers on behalf of private payer clients, or health insurers. He also might assist Pierce on healthcare whistleblower cases.
“I think my experience as a client will give me great perspective on what private payers are concerned about in these types of cases,” Stillman said.
What attracted you to Pierce?
I worked with Pierce at Aetna and was impressed with their focus and expertise. The firm has tremendous capability using data analytics to support its legal analysis of provider overbilling. I was impressed with Pierce's approach in trying to resolve a dispute prior to litigation, and as a former client, I appreciated Pierce's creative and flexible approach to fee arrangements.
You were involved in some big cases at Aetna. Which one stands out?
Settlement of a nationwide class action suit brought on behalf of physicians against Aetna. The settlement was a creative way to address concerns of the physician community and helped advance Aetna's goal of improving its standing with that community.
What do you think about CVS's planned acquisition of Aetna?
Aetna has a wonderful team of professionals who can bring a wealth of talent and experience to pursue the goals Aetna and CVS stated as their reasons for merging.
What would most help control healthcare costs?
Stopping the overbilling and medically unnecessary testing would go a long way. Sadly, there is a lot of fraud in the system, and both private payers and government are looking for ways to recoup monies paid unnecessarily and to deter providers from fraudulent billing. This is the primary focus of Pierce and why private payers want to engage Pierce to assist their special investigative units in dealing with fraud.
Of course, fraud notwithstanding, healthcare costs are high and the most effective and least painful way to control them is to help people avoid developing chronic illnesses that account for so much healthcare spending.
