Health Net Says Contract Dispute with John Muir/Mt. Diablo Health Network Might Not be Resolved by Dec. 31
Health Net of California has notified its members that it might not reach an agreement with the John Muir/Mount Diablo Health Network before their contract expires Dec. 31, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. In an Oct. 30 letter sent to more than 31,000 Contra Costa County members, Health Net said it was "working to negotiate an agreement" with John Muir/Mount Diablo that would take effect Jan. 1, 2002, but added "there is no guarantee that your current physician will be accessible to you after Dec. 31, 2001." The Chronicle reports that the dispute may force members to find a doctor outside the network that contracts with Health Net or switch health plans. Health Net spokesperson Brad Kieffer "remained optimistic" that the dispute would be resolved before the deadline (Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle, 11/7).