Firm Disputes CMA Charge of Misleading Tactics

The California Medical Association is warning physicians to be wary of "deceptive practices" by a San Diego-based bill review company, but the firm says the association has wrongly criticized a routine form letter that seeks to protect consumers from unfair balance billing. Three Rivers Provider Network mailed a letter to some physicians advising them that they will be paid 75% of billed charges, or 90% of any applicable fee schedule, if they sign an enclosed form and return it to the company. The physicians must also agree not to "balance bill" patients for charges not reimbursed by Three ...