September 12th, 2003--- PHYSICIANS CASE AGAINST MANAGED CARE CHALLENGED BY MAJOR HMO'S
Physicians Confident in Lower Court Rulings
Aetna and Cigna Have Already Settled with Physicians

A three-judge panel heard arguments today in a massive national class action brought by physicians against the nation's largest health insurance companies. The hearing was prompted by the insurance companies appeal of a district court judge's ruling certifying a national class action on behalf of over 700,000 medical doctors. The appeal challenges the ruling of Judge Federico Moreno that was sufficient to allow the "tentative" approval of the class action based on an industry wide scheme to defraud doctors through the fraudulent computer processing of claims.

Archie Lamb, co-lead counsel for the physicians noted, "Judge Moreno has given careful consideration to all of the evidence and case law in making his ruling. We are confident that the appellant court will reinforce the underlying ruling and return the case to judge Moreno for final disposition."

The lower court has successfully disposed of 2 of these cases involving Aetna and Cigna. These two industry giants have already settled their cases before judge Moreno. Eight additional health insurance companies are next in line to go to trial in mid 2004 if the cases are not settled.

Co-lead counsel for the physicians Harley Tropin indicated, "we have a massive discovery team preparing the case and the evidence against the insurance companies is mounting daily." A ruling from the three-judge, 11th circuit panel is anticipated within the next several weeks.

View the CIGNA Settlement

For additional information concerning this article, please visit the HMO Crisis Newsroom or contact Anne Duke at (703) 518-2383 or anned@natmedia.com.

September 4th, 2003--- AMA PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON CIGNA SETTLEMENT

PROVIDER UPDATE Miami, FL September 4, 2003--- Comments of Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD, President, American Medical Association concerning the CIGNA HealthCare settlement agreement: "The American Medical Association (AMA) is pleased that CIGNA and the plaintiff physicians and medical associations have agreed to resolve many of the significant problems that have plagued physicians who treat CIGNA enrollees. CIGNA is to be commended for agreeing to change its business practices and improve its relationships with practicing physicians and their patients. We are hopeful other health insurers will follow CIGNA's example and work cooperatively with physicians on behalf of patients. The AMA will continue to support physicians across the country to resolve these important issues with health insurers."

For additional information concerning HMO litigation, please visit the HMO Crisis Newsroom.