KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Academic Urology, the largest urology specialty medical group in Pennsylvania and largest provider of urology services to Independence Blue Cross (IBC) subscribers, is no longer a participating provider for IBC insurance plans. Academic Urology’s current contract with IBC expired on November 30, 2011. Approximately 30,000 patients are impacted by IBC’s decision not to renew its contract with Academic Urology.
“Despite having many months to reach a new agreement that would have provided patients with uninterrupted access to Academic Urology, IBC’s refusal to negotiate in good faith has forced Academic Urology into an “out of network” status that greatly impedes patient access to care,” said David J. Ellis, MD, president of Academic Urology.
Academic Urology is headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, and includes 36 urologists in 16 locations throughout Philadelphia’s western suburbs. Last September, the insurer sent notification to its subscribers that it intended to drop Academic Urology, effective December 1, 2011.
“According to our analysis, IBC’s “take it or leave it” contract offer to Academic Urology would cut our reimbursement by 38 percent from the rates the insurer agreed to pay in our most recent four year contract,” Dr. Ellis said. “A reduction of that magnitude does not allow us to provide the quality care necessary for our patients. Unfortunately, IBC continually declined to negotiate despite our repeated requests and an outcry from hundreds of patients. We feel the insurer has put its business interests ahead of patient care.”
Academic Urology maintains successful relationships with virtually every other health insurance provider in the region, and has encouraged its IBC patients to change insurers if possible. Nevertheless, the group will continue to provide care for IBC subscribers. Coverage for that care will vary according to the patient’s health plan. “We are committed to caring for our patients as we always have, regardless of IBC’s actions,” said Dr. Ellis, “and we will work with our patients and their referring physicians to achieve that goal. Even with the current situation, we remain open to negotiating a new contract with the insurer.”
More information about Academic Urology, including information for patients about the IBC contract situation, is available on the group’s web site: www.academicurology.com.