CMA Publishes PacifiCare/United Healthcare Survival Kit
[Posted 08/03/06]

CMA has received a number of calls from physicians concerned with what they describe as heavy-handed contract negotiation tactics by PacifiCare/United Healthcare. Not only do the new PacifiCare contracts include troublesome contract terms and offer reimbursement well below that of other commercial payers, but many physicians have also reported to CMA that PacifiCare has resorted to threats and intimidation in an effort to get physicians to sign the new contracts.

To help physicians respond to these threats and to increase physicians’ awareness of their rights, CMA has posted on its members-only website answers to common PacifiCare contracting questions.

CMA has also published a contracting toolkit, “Taking Charge: Steps to Evaluating Relationships and Preparing for Negotiations—A Focus on Payor Contracting.” The toolkit, designed to help physicians negotiate and manage complex third-party payor agreements, is available free to members at the members-only website Nonmembers can purchase the toolkit for $100 in the CMA bookstore.

Contact: Aileen Wetzel, 916/444-5532.