SALE OF HEALTHNET BLUE OK'D

The Missouri Department of Insurance has approved the sale of HealthNet Blue, a health insurance sold through a local doctor-hospital organization.

HealthNet Blue was developed by MedAmerica HealthNet Inc., the physician-hospital organization, and Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Members may choose their hospital or doctor each time they need care.

But, if patients pick doctors or hospitals within the insurance's network, there are financial incentives.

The network consists of five hospitals, St. Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, both of Cape Girardeau, the Missouri Delta Medical Center of Sikeston, the Perry County Memorial Hospital of Perryville and the Dexter Memorial Hospital of Dexter and more than 275 doctors.