Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

Miami, FL: (Apr-28-07) A class action lawsuit filed by over 900,000 physicians against 23 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, accused the managed health care companies of unfair payment practices. In May 2003, the physicians filed a lawsuit in Miami against the companies; they contended they were systematically cheated by insurance companies that programmed computers to pay for less-intensive services than were actually provided. The physicians also filed lawsuits against 47 insurance companies since December 1999. In a settlement reached, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association agreed to pay $128 million to a fund, which will enable the physicians to make a claim to receive the money. The plans also will pay legal fees determined by the courts up to $49 million. [HERALD TRIBUNE: PAYMENT PRACTICES]