Preliminary results from a CMA survey show that nearly a quarter of member physicians responding to the survey have terminated or plan to terminate their Blue Cross contracts over concern that the proposed new fee schedule would jeopardize the viability of their practices.

After Blue Cross announced fee schedule changes earlier this year, CMA began receiving a high volume of complaints from physicians regarding the proposed changes. To determine the impact the proposed fee schedule changes would have on California physicians and their patients, we surveyed our members for their reaction. Four hundred and ninety five practices responded, representing 1,566 physicians and over 91,000 Blue Cross patients in 31 different counties.

Final survey results will be issued next week.

CMA is working hard to address this and other Blue Cross issues. Earlier this summer we published a Blue Cross of California Survival Kit to help you assess the impact fee schedule changes would have on your practice based on your most commonly billed CPT codes. CMA has also asked state insurance regulators to take action against Blue Cross for jeopardizing the physician-patient relationship and engaging in unlawful business practices that have reduced patient access to care. Stay tuned for more information.

Contact: Jodi Black, 916/551-2863 or jblack@cmanet.org.