AMA Launches Web Site to Document Physicians’ Health Plan Complaints

The American Medical Association Monday launched a Web site that will allow physicians to register the problems they experience with managed care, including delayed and denied payments and "unfair" contract practices. The Health Plan Complaint Form will provide physicians with a "confidential, secure" way to voice their concerns. The AMA plans to use the information to track trends, initiate discussions with health plan administrators and promote the organization's legislative and regulatory agenda. AMA Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Donald Palmisano, said, "Health plans no longer will be able to dismiss our real frustrations as random anecdotes. We've been told we need concrete evidence -- soon enough we will." Physicians will be required to use an AMA Internet ID, a digital certificate developed by the AMA and VeriSign, to access the site. In addition, the site will protect users' confidentiality by asking only for a physician's specialty and demographic and geographic information (AMA release, 11/26).