One hundred physicians from the roughly 120-member Missouri Medical Affiliates opted to sign individual contracts with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield before the temporary, three-month contract between the two parties expired, according to a Columbia Tribune report.
Missouri residents covered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield could see their out-of-pocket healthcare costs jump if they use one of the 20 physicians who opted not to sign a new contract with the payor.
Anthem and the MMA have been struggling to agree on a contract that sets reimbursement rates for the practice's physicians all summer. MMA physicians say they have not seen rate increases from Anthem in years, and some say the new contract essentially cuts physician pay as medical costs rise. Anthem responded that the offer was "fair" and represents a reimbursement increase overall.
Anthem's final July offer was rejected by the physician group, and ultimately, most physicians opted to sign individual contracts with the insurer because of the large number of patients it covers. Physicians will now have to negotiate individual contracts with Anthem, potentially putting providers at a disadvantage in pushing for higher reimbursement rates.
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Missouri residents covered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield could see their out-of-pocket healthcare costs jump if they use one of the 20 physicians who opted not to sign a new contract with the payor.
Anthem and the MMA have been struggling to agree on a contract that sets reimbursement rates for the practice's physicians all summer. MMA physicians say they have not seen rate increases from Anthem in years, and some say the new contract essentially cuts physician pay as medical costs rise. Anthem responded that the offer was "fair" and represents a reimbursement increase overall.
Anthem's final July offer was rejected by the physician group, and ultimately, most physicians opted to sign individual contracts with the insurer because of the large number of patients it covers. Physicians will now have to negotiate individual contracts with Anthem, potentially putting providers at a disadvantage in pushing for higher reimbursement rates.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
AAPC Expert Addresses Medical Denials and Workers' Compensation Settlements
Surgery Center Coding Guidance: Hand Procedures
4 Things You Should Know About the ASC Quality and Access Act of 2011