SURGICAL CLINIC TO STAY IN HEALTHNET

A Cape Girardeau surgical group will stay in the HealthNet Blue provider network after all.

Cape Girardeau Surgical Clinic Inc. was scheduled to leave the network on Oct. 1. But clinic administrator Sarah Holt said Thursday that talks with Blue Cross Blue Shield prompted physicians to change their minds.

There will be no disruption of service through the HealthNet Blue network, Holt said.

"We had discussions with Blue Cross, and we were able to get some understanding about the future of HealthNet Blue," she said. "Then, in response to our patients, we decided to go back in."

The surgical group has withdrawn its termination letter from HealthNet Blue, Holt said.

Clara Kinner, a spokeswoman for Blue Cross Blue Shield, confirmed that the group will remain in the network.

The surgical group had signed on with HealthNet Blue when it was operated through MedAmerica HealthNet as a joint venture with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

MedAmerica HealthNet went bankrupt in January, blaming losses suffered on Blue Cross Blue Shield's contract with the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan.

MedAmerica dissolved in March after reaching an agreement with BCBS that it would not be liable for any of the $16 million in losses. Blue Cross Blue Shield opted to contract directly with former members of MedAmerica HealthNet to continue offering the HealthNet Blue product.

When Cape Girardeau Surgical Clinic Inc., decided in August to leave HealthNet Blue, Holt blamed MedAmerica HealthNet's dissolution. Physician reimbursements played no part in the decision to leave, Holt said at the time.