Hospital issues continue in Boston and the fact that Blue Cross/Blue Shield is making some large profits probably doesn’t help matters much either.   Last week, Partners was in the news (related reading) over similar issues of being paid at a higher rate.  You might think that the rates could be a bit closer, but as time goes on we will all watch and observe.  We have similar issues in California too with contracts.  BD   

Tufts Medical Center has begun warning thousands of patients that Tufts doctors will no longer accept Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO coverage after Jan. 31, asserting in a letter that the state's largest health insurer refuses to pay Tufts doctors at a "reasonable rate."

But Tufts officials said they had no choice but to begin phasing out Blue Cross coverage after 11 months of what Tufts described as fruitless negotiations with the company. Ellen Zane, Tufts Medical Center's chief executive, said that Blue Cross pays her doctors and hospital 20 to 40 percent less than other major teaching hospitals even though she said Blue Cross ranks Tufts among the top three teaching hospitals in Massachusetts for overall quality. Unless Blue Cross offers Tufts a major payment increase before the end of the month, the Blue Cross HMO contract with Tufts doctors will end on Feb. 1.

Tufts says it will break with Blue Cross over doctor pay - The Boston Globe

Related Reading:

State panel to examine payments to Partners Hospitals in Boston – Other hospitals in the State are looking for a bail out…

Madoff Scam Hits Harvard Medical School Grants and affiliate Beth Israel Medical Center

Wall Street Greed and Fraud Hits Boston Hospitals and Healthcare - donors bilked out of millions

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts reports $57.6 million profit for the 3rd quarter
BlueCross BlueShield Create New Venture Capital Organization
Insurers' reserves criticized

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