AMA Physicians Seek To Prevent Penalties From Health Insurers

United still pushing efforts to fine MDs and potentially remove them from the network if patients continue to be sent to Quest or other Labs...BD

Earlier this year, UnitedHealth Group announced a policy that threatens to fine physicians who repeatedly refer patients to out-of-network labs. UnitedHealth in 2006 reached a 10-year agreement to make Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings the national in-network lab for the company. A letter sent to physicians earlier this year stated that, as of March 1, UnitedHealth will reserve the right to fine physicians who repeatedly refer patients to out-of-network labs $50, reduce their reimbursements or eliminate them from the company network.