Despite recent changes UPMC made to a proposed prepayment policy that would have affected Highmark members, Pennsylvania's attorney general said he is not slowing his legal fight against UPMC, according to Trib Live.
In an unexpected move, UPMC said it no longer plans to require patients with Medicare Advantage coverage through Highmark to pay for services in advance once consent decrees between the Pittsburgh-based rivals expire July 1. In addition, UPMC said it will now accept direct payment for out-of-network emergency services from Highmark at the same rate that UPMC Health Plan pays Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network hospitals, which are part of Highmark.
Still, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, whose office is taking legal action against UPMC over patient access, said the change won't sway upcoming court proceedings.
"Everyone should know we are not going away, no matter what happens in court. There are serious questions swirling around UPMC's conduct that need to be answered through this litigation process," Mr. Shapiro told Trib Live.
Mr. Shapiro aims to block a June 30 split between UPMC and Highmark. UPMC has argued that Mr. Shapiro is overstepping his authority and that his actions are politically motivated. A two-day trial over whether Mr. Shapiro can change the expiration date of consent decree between Highmark and UPMC begins June 10.
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