Patients stuck as Sutter Gould, Health Plan of San Joaquin talks stall
Health Plan of
If an agreement isn't reached, the health plan said more than 7,000 members who use Sutter Gould clinics will need to choose other doctors or they will be assigned to other primary care providers.
"There are more than 7,000 members who are going to be affected," Quintero said. "I think both parties should take a look at this and really think about it because it affects a lot of members."
Hurst said Wednesday the health plan had received calls from members who were "distraught" that their appointments with Sutter Gould were canceled even though the contract remains in effect through this month.
The health plan will work with Sutter Gould to make sure patients receive treatment under the state's continuity-of-care regulations and contract provisions, especially those undergoing cancer treatment, Hurst said.
In a statement, Sutter Gould said it has been in confidential negotiations with Health Plan of
Sutter Gould's statement said that financial losses from serving
"
Sutter Gould provides health care to thousands of
Hurst charged that Sutter Gould has a history of seeking reimbursements at a higher level than other medical groups. "We are hopeful that as a nonprofit medical group, their mission-driven charter may move them to continue to serve this largely vulnerable population," he said.
Quintero, who has lived in
Now, she may have to find another doctor.
In
In the news release, Hurst noted that the state's
"Health Plan of
The health plan said it sent letters this week to affected members, advising them of the status of negotiations and that their Sutter Gould doctor won't be in the Health Plan of
Difficult contract negotiations between managed-care plans and large medical groups are common, sometimes resulting in posturing and letters to patients saying they will need to change doctors. Sutter Gould would remain in Health Plan of
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