In March of last year, Blue Cross announced that it would require physicians to sign a separate contract and accept reduced rates if they want to continue treating Blue Cross-insured Healthy Families and AIM patients. The new rates vary, but have been dropped generally to barely above Medi-Cal rates.

Although the effective date on the new contracts was September 1, 2009, Blue Cross extended its continuity of care plan through March 31, 2010, allowing physicians with Prudent Buyer contracts to continue treating Blue Cross Healthy Families patients.

With the continuity of care plan coming to an end next month, physicians are encouraged to notify patients who would be affected by a decision not to sign the new contract. CMA has prepared a sample letter physicians can use for this purpose. The sample letter is available to members at the members-only website.

Contact: CMA’s reimbursement help line, 888/401-5911 or jblack@cmanet.org.