The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals this week affirmed the settlement reached last year with Aetna, one of 10 HMO defendants in CMA’s RICO lawsuit. The suit alleges that the for-profit HMO defendants violated federal law by using coercive, unfair, and fraudulent means to control physician-patient relationships. Although a federal court in Miami gave final approval to the settlement last year, some members of the class appealed.

This affirmation clears the way for Aetna to begin paying the damages agreed to under the settlement, which provides $100 million to be divided among the physician plaintiffs. If you did not submit a proof-of-claim form by the September 30, 2003, deadline, your payment will automatically be donated to the foundation established under the settlement. The foundation will promote physician-directed improvements to the nation’s health care system.

Contact: CMA’s legal information line, 415/882-5144 or legalinfo@cmanet.org.