Temple doctors in insurance impasse

A group of Temple University doctors is notifying patients that it has reached an impasse in contract negotiations with Keystone Mercy Health Plan.

The contract with Temple University Physicians expires Aug. 31. "Based on the expiration of these contracts, TUP can no longer provide primary care, specialty care or hospital outpatient testing at Temple University Health System facilities for patients covered by Keystone Mercy," the university said in a written release this week.

Temple University Physicians consists of faculty members from Temple's School of Medicine. They provide most of the care at Temple University Health System hospitals (Temple, Jeanes, Northeast).

Keystone Mercy is a Medicaid-managed care plan operated by Mercy Health System and Keystone First, a subsidiary of Independence Blue Cross.

Keystone Mercy subscribers will still be able to receive emergency care and treatment for ongoing health conditions, such as pregnancy or chronic illness.

The contract dispute involves about 350 physicians and the health plan. Their contract expired on Dec. 31, 2007 and it has been extended four times.

Temple estimates that nearly 12,000 patients are affected by the contract issue. It says the doctors receive $8 million a year from Keystone Mercy - $12 million less than it costs to provide care to the company's subscribers.

The health system, which also employs some physicians, has extended its contract with Keystone Mercy until Nov. 30, according to Rick Buck, a Keystone spokesman.

"It is Keystone Mercy's intention to maintain its business relationship with Temple University Physicians and Temple University Health System," Buck said.