Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation Files Suit Against Aurora Health...

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation Files Suit Against Aurora
Health Care and HealthEOS

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wisconsin Physicians Service
Insurance Corporation (WPS) filed a lawsuit in Milwaukee County today to stop
Aurora Health Care from interfering with WPS's contractual relationship with
HealthEOS by MultiPlan, an independent primary PPO network, and to compel
HealthEOS to abide by the terms of its contract with WPS. This action was
taken only after numerous attempts by WPS to meet face to face with Aurora and
HealthEOS to resolve these issues for the best interest of the Aurora patients
who participate in WPS plans.
At Aurora's request, HealthEOS has excluded WPS insured and administered
plans from accessing Aurora providers on an in-network basis. Due to this
breach of contract, thousands of WPS customers are left unable to receive
treatment from their preferred Aurora medical providers without having to pay
significantly higher out-of-network costs. In addition, shortly before
Christmas some WPS patients were told by Aurora that they would no longer be
able to be treated by their providers at all, and only after being contacted
by WPS legal counsel did Aurora modify this position. Details of this lawsuit
can be found in the complaint that was filed today at 3:00 p.m. CST.
While WPS is actively pursuing legal remedies to protect its customers and
resolve this situation, thousands of our customers are already being
inconvenienced by Aurora's and HealthEOS' actions and experiencing
considerable worry and confusion. These citizens need and deserve unfettered
access to their chosen Aurora health care providers. With the well being of
our customers and their employees as our highest priority, WPS is absorbing
any extra charges invoiced by Aurora as "out of network" through February
2008. In addition, WPS will assist its WPS/HealthEOS customers who wish to
change insurance or health care providers to ensure in-network charges for
services after March 1, 2008.
"We believe both Aurora and HealthEOS are violating their contracts with
us. It is unconscionable that their actions are causing needless anxiety among
thousands of Wisconsin citizens," said Bill Bathke, WPS's Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer. "WPS intends to vigorously fight for
our customers' right to access the health care providers of their choice."
Contact:
Megan Hakes
414-788-6599
SOURCE Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation

Megan Hakes, +1-414-788-6599, for Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance
Corporation