WellPoint/Anthem class-action settlement set to expire
Physicians should review their WellPoint/Anthem contracts as the insurers' settlement agreement in a nationwide class-action lawsuit over alleged payment abuses nears termination on July 15, organized medicine officials said.
After that date, the companies no longer will be required to comply with the settlement terms, although organized medicine hopes they will voluntarily continue the agreed-upon business practice changes.
Some of those changes include:
- Greater transparency in claims processing.
- Prompt-payment requirements.
- Disclosure of fee schedules.
- Medical necessity definitions.
- Overpayment recovery.
Information is available online (www.hmosettlements.com). Additional resources are available on the AMA's Web site (www.ama-assn.org/go/settlements).
Back to top
Ohio State Medical Assn. launches medical liability blog
Physicians have a new platform to discuss medical liability issues.
The Ohio State Medical Assn. recently launched a blog that allows doctors -- as well as lawyers and insurers -- to exchange ideas about liability experiences and tort reform. The Connect to Justice blog also offers other help for doctors to minimize their liability risk. Physicians can access the blog through the OSMA's Web site (www.osma.org).
Back to top
Copyright 2009 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
