I'm not sure how much the foot-dragging will do for them, but for what it's worth, Blue Cross of California's parent company has won a delay in a state hearing scheduled for this week to examine the Blue plan's business practices [1]. State regulators have gotten more than 1,600 complaints in the past three years from policyholders and doctors about BC of California's practices.
WellPoint successfully argued that the state's original hearing notice and agenda weren't detailed enough, giving it too little information to prepare its response. The new hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7. Expect some fireworks--after all, by definition, there have to be at some dramatic accusations in the mix when complaints are piled that deep.
To learn more about the ongoing state examination:
- read this Los Angeles Times article [2]
Related Articles:
California MDs file suit against BC of California. Report [3]
Blue Cross of California settles plan-cancellation suits. Report [4]
Blue Cross of California makes changes in face of lawsuits. Report [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/bc-of-california-faces-hearing-on-complaints/2007-07-11
[2] http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-insure17jul17,1,5755670.story?coll=la-headlines-business
[3] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/california-mds-file-suit-against-bc-of-california/2007-01-04
[4] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/blue-cross-of-ca-settles-plan-cancellation-suits/2006-10-18
[5] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/blue-cross-makes-changes-in-face-of-lawsuits/2006-09-20