Secure Horizons Continues Negotiations With Mercy Physicians’ Group

Secure Horizons and Mercy Physicians Medical Group are continuing to negotiate a new contract in the hopes of allowing 5,200 Medicare beneficiaries to continue to see providers affiliated with the medical group, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Last week, officials extended the current contract's termination date to May 1, giving negotiators until the end of March to reach an agreement. State law requires health plans to give members at least 30 days notice before terminating a contract. Dr. Stewart Frank, president of Mercy Physicians, a group made up of 450 doctors, said, "In the interim, it's to everyone's best interest to come up with a solution." However, he added, "We still have concerns about reaching a financially viable agreement." Cheryl Randolph, a spokesperson for Secure Horizons, which serves 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries in San Diego County, said the company "remains hopeful" that an agreement can be reached. Franks said that no meeting has been scheduled because the medical group is reviewing a proposal from Secure Horizons (Fong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/24).