Class Action Suits Challenge PPO Discounts

By Greg Jones, Western Bureau ChiefA pair of class action lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for Oregon accuse Liberty Mutual and Travelers Insurance Co. of improperly contracting for reimbursement rates below the state's medical fee schedule.Both lawsuits say Oregon Revised Statutes Section 656.248 prohibits payments to be made for less than the Medical Fee Schedule to providers that treat injured workers, unless a provider voluntarily bills at a lower amount, or the provider is in a managed care organization. The lawsuits seek class status for all health care providers in Oregon n...