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


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Source: Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation