Attached a very troublesome article I just received today reporting that on July 27, 2011 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida began notifying ALL of their mental health providers (licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists) that effective November 30th, 2011 they would be terminated, without cause.
They were also notified that that if providers would like to join the new company they are partnering with, New Directions, so that they can provide services to their patrons, they would need to complete a new contract (sent under separate cover) within 15 days and agree to significant cuts (35-55%) in reimbursement rates, as well as other disturbing clauses such as only being able to refer to in-network providers, etc.
Since BCBS is considered to be one of the largest providers of insurance for mental/behavioral health in Florida, this termination could potentially place hundreds/thousands of providers in a position of being underemployed and/or unemployed, and worse, leave thousands of patients without coverage or access to mental health/psychological treatment.
CNN producer note
iReport -
On July 27, 2011 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida began notifying ALL of
their mental health providers (licensed social workers, licensed mental
health counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists) that effective Nov 30,
2011 they would be terminated, without cause. That is, they will no longer
be providers for BCBS-FL. In this notice, current providers were also
instructed to notify BCBS subscribers/patients of this coming termination
directly and on behalf of BCBS-FL.
BCBS-FL also indicated that if providers would like to join the new company
they are partnering with, New Directions, so that they can provide services
to their patrons, they would need to complete a new contract (sent under
separate cover) within 15 days and agree to significant cuts (35-55%) in
reimbursement rates, as well as other disturbing clauses such as only being
able to refer to in-network providers, etc.
Interestingly, New Directions appears to be a subsidiary of BCBS-FL. So, as
if it isn't horrible enough that ALL of the mental/behavioral health
providers have been "fired" at the same time and patients will likely find
themselves with poor quality care or no care at all, it appears that they
(the same company-BCBS-FL) fired its contractors and then offered them the
oportunity to reapply for rehire within the same week, but only if they
agree to sign a new contract, with entirely different terms.
This action (termination of providers only in one area) also seems to be a
possible violation of the Federal Mental Health Parity Law which protects
against the discrimination of mental health services. It does not appear
that any of the other healthcare providers or "medical" providers had their
contracts terminated.
Since BCBS is considered to be one of the largest providers of insurance for
mental/behavioral health in Florida, this termination could potentially
place hundreds/thousands of providers in a position of being underemployed
and/or unemployed, and worse, leave thousands of patients without coverage
or access to mental health/psychological treatment.
The ripple effect of these actions by BCBS-FL could be deadly to the people,
communities, and businesses throughout FL. leaving many unable to make a
reasonable living and thousands (including Seniors with BCBS as a secondary
policy) unable to access and/or pay for mental health treatment and
psychological services.
--
Bernd Wollschlaeger,MD,FAAFP,FASAM
16899 NE 15th Avenue
North Miami Beach,FL 33162
Phone: (305) 940-8717
Fax: (305) 402-2989
Web Site: www.miamihealth.com
Blog: http://floridadocs.blogspot.com
Twitter: @dadedoc
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