Jay Bergman and his family have been going to Dr. Lawrence Kramer for more than 15 years. He has treated everything from his kids' ear infections to diagnosing his wife’s heart problems. “He is not only our doctor, but our friend,” said Bergman. Unfortunately, Bergman will no longer be able to visit Dr. Kramer because BlueCross BlueShield has given him along with another 100 other Central Florida physicians a termination notice that will end their Preferred Patient Care (PPC)/BlueChoice PPO contract effective October 8, 2004.
That’s when thousands of patients will be impacted by the termination of BlueCross BlueShield’s PPC/BlueChoice PPO contract with Florida Physicians Medical Group (FPMG), Florida Hospital’s Family Health Centers, and multiple subspecialty physicians. Unless BlueCross BlueShield reverses its decision before October 8, 125 physicians at 49 practice locations in Central Florida will be terminated from BlueCross BlueShield’s PPC/BlueChoice plans.
“We absolutely do not understand why BlueCross BlueShield has decided to disrupt so many members by terming the contract,” said Bryan Stiltz, FPMG President. “Neither FPMG nor the Family Health Centers have issues that would warrant BlueCross BlueShield giving them a termination notice. Our physicians have been fully compliant with the terms of the contract and all the hospitals we participate with are still participating providers with BlueCross BlueShield PPC/BlueChoice product. It is our belief that BlueCross BlueShield owes an answer to the thousands of members they are placing in a very difficult situation.”
If BlueCross BlueShield carries through with this termination, many members who are enrolled in BlueCross BlueShield PPO plans will either have to find new physicians, or pay much higher out-of-pocket expense for services from their current doctor.
“As a physician this disturbs me,” said Dr. Kramer. “It is in the best interest of the Bergmans’ and my other patients, that they are treated by a physician familiar with their medical history. FPMG is a trusted group of physicians that wants nothing more than to continue to provide the best possible care to our patients. I honestly cannot understand why BlueCross BlueShield would want to displace our patients and disrupt their continuity of health care.”
“FPMG and the Family Health Centers remain open to discuss this situation with BlueCross BlueShield,” said Stiltz.
