BlueCare Amendment Proposes Significant Cuts **Time Sensitive Response**

     Citing sustained operations at a loss, letters went out the week of January 4 from Volunteer State Health Plan, Inc. (VSHP), along with an "Amendment to the BlueCare Physician Specialist".  The Amendment is an amendment to the BlueCare (TennCare) managed care contract and notifies in-network BlueCare specialty physicians that their reimbursement rates will be cut 14 percent if they accept the amendment.  The MMS and TMA want to make you aware of the letter and your options, and to emphasize that the Amendment is time sensitive and requires affirmative action on your part if you DO NOT want to agree to accept the 14 percent cut in reimbursement.  TMA member physicians have the following options with respect to the Amendment: a. You can do nothing.  Doing nothing means you automatically agree to the 14 percent cut in reimbursement.  You will remain in the BlueCare network and be reimbursed at 86 percent of the BlueCare fee schedule for all medical services performed effective February 1, 2010.  b. You can reject the Amendment.  Rejecting the Amendment means VSHP will terminate you from it BlueCare and TennCare Select networks effective March 3, 2010.  Member patients in those plans will be steered to other physicians who are in-network.  According to the letter you cannot choose to reject the Amendment and still remain in these networks.  To reject the Amendment, you must do so in writing by January 30 to:  BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Attention Provider Administration 2.4; 1 Cameron Hill Circle, Ste 0007; Chattanooga, TN  37402-0007.  Your decision to accept or reject this Amendment does not affect your participation in commerical network.  For additional questions, please contact the TMA Legal Dept. at 1-800-659-1862. 

Region 1 - Shelby County - Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 6:30 am - bus departs Medical Society - 1067 Cresthaven Rd  

     There is NO COST to attend and participate (lunch will be provided compliments of TMA).  Non-physicians, spouses of physicians and practice managers are welcome to attend.  The bus will depart from the Medical Society at 6:30 am.  The return trip (leave Nashville) to Memphis will be at approximately 4:00 pm.  If you are a physician, please WEAR YOUR WHITE COAT.  Please reserve your place in advance by phoning the Society office or emailing jcooper@mdmemphis.org.  Please respond by Friday, February 5. 

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease -

First Annual Regional Cardiac Conference

Fighting the Cardiovascular Epidemic in Women - Evidence and Gender-based Approaches

Saturday, February 27, 2010 - Westin Hotel - Beale Street; Memphis, TN

WomenHeart's First Annual Regional Cardiac Conference is designed to update and provide new information to physicians and other health care providers on assessing and managing women with cardiovascular disease.  The conference will be an interactive educational forum in which internationally recognized physicians will provide valuable information and insight into the unique challenges of diagnosing and treating women with cardiovascular disease.  Cases will be woven into each session and special attention will be paid to "Getting with the American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines".  For additional information, please contact Methodist Le Bonheur at 901-516-8933 or register online at www.methodistmd.org