Where are your discounts?

Article Abstract:

Physicians should be aware of 'silent PPO's', or brokers who buy and sell fee discounts that providers have agreed to in physician provider organization (PPO) contracts. These silent PPOs can result in constant billing errors and reduced payments to health care providers that usually go unnoticed. American Hospital Assn and American Medical Assn officials estimate that hospitals and other providers are losing about a billion dollars per year to questionable or illegal silent PPOs.

Health Maintenance Organizations, HMO Medical Centers, Offices & clinics of medical doctors, Physicians & Surgeons, Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists), Medical Insurance NEC, Economic aspects, Compensation and benefits, Hospitals, Physicians, Medical professions, Managed care plans (Medical care)

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Consumer groups want probe of managed care merger

Article Abstract:

Consumer groups and medical organizations want the federal government to investigate the merger of United HealthCare Corp and MetraHealth Co. Critics of this merger, which would create the largest US insurer of managed care, believe that competition would decrease, resulting in poorer medical care that is harder to get and is more expensive. The groups that are critical of the merger include the American Medical Assn and the Consumer Federation of America.

Health Care, Health Care and Social Assistance, Medical Care Insurance, Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Forecasts and trends, Insurance industry, Medical care, UnitedHealth Group Inc., MetraHealth Companies Inc., UNH

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Bush administration stance on self-insurance raises concerns

Article Abstract:

Solicitor General Kenneth Starr has ruled in favor of self-insured H and H Music Co's decision to cap health benefits for employee John McGann at $5,000 after it discovered that he had AIDS. The AMA and other health and consumer groups strongly disagreed with the decision, saying that it violates the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The decision raises concerns about the Bush administration's regulation of self-insuring employers.

Cases, AIDS patients, Insurance

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