Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is reviewing the split between Pittsburgh-based Highmark and UPMC and how it will affect Highmark insurance customers who will be left out of network at UPMC facilities, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The split will go into effect July 1, and among those affected are 175,000 Highmark Medicare Advantage plan members. The relationship between UPMC and Highmark first soured in 2011 over reimbursement rates and Highmark's acquisition of Allegheny Health Network, a competing regional provider.
The attorney general's investigation has created a consumer telephone line and online complaint form for patients to communicate how they will be affected by the move.