Some of Pittsburgh-based UPMC's physicians will not remain in-network for Highmark members after the contract between the two organizations expires Jan. 1. For patients who want to switch to in-network physicians, the move may be complicated by the record transfer process, according to an article in the Pittsburgh Business Times.
The record exchange is currently being conducted with faxes, Highmark Health Vice President of Provider Contracting and Relations Tom Fitzpatrick told the Business Times. "This is happening in weeks, not days. We all have our eye on this problem," he said.
The medical record transfer has caught the attention of local lawmakers. "We need to make sure we have an accurate transfer of medical information," Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Squirrel Hill) said at a hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee, according to the report. "This is a critical issue. We have to make sure our patients aren't going to get lost in the shuffle."
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