MODESTO: Medical Group Threatens to Drop Kaiser Permanente

      The McHenry Medical Group in Modesto said it soon will mail letters to 3,000 patients announcing that it is terminating its contract with Kaiser Permanente effective Feb. 15, the Modesto Bee reports. Dr. Michael Goodman, president of McHenry's executive committee, said contract talks had broken down over cost reimbursements, among other issues. He said McHenry wants a new contract and hopes to instill in Kaiser Permanente a "sense of urgency," adding, "If we don't give Kaiser a timeline, they'll play us for years as they have in the past," he said. Dr. Don Kimzey, medical director of Kaiser Permanente's Stanislaus County provider network, said he believes the two groups will come to an agreement. "Members should just continue to see their physicians at McHenry as they are presently. With continuing negotiations, I really hope that we can have a continuing relationship with McHenry," he said. The proposed termination affects the 3,000 McHenry patients in the medical groups departments of internal medicine, dermatology and neurology. Goodman said he believes most of these patients would switch insurers and remain with McHenry (Millegan, 8/17).