The battle between physicians and insurers swayed in favor of the caregivers today. The Tennessee Medical Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee have reached a settlement as part of a class-action lawsuit that includes 900-thousand doctors nationally.
The TMA had filed suit in 2002 along with other medical associations against the insurer for essentially making it harder than necessary to get reimbursed for seeing a patient. Blue Cross will pay Tennessee doctors 5.8-million dollars.
TMA’s outgoing president, Dr. Charles Handorff, says the money doesn’t amount to much. But he says the effects could mean less hassle with getting reimbursed.
“I’m very pleased after a long period of time to be able to see that a big insurer in Tennessee is at least showing some willingness to work with us instead of in opposition to us.”
The settlement also requires Blue Cross to pay doctors within 30-days of filing a claim and establishes an independent review board for disputes.
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