Closure of Physicians Group Unit

“Biggest Doctors Group to Shut Valley Unit,” May 8.

I take issue with the statement, “This difficult task was made worse in the affluent West Valley, where the division operated, in part because doctors and hospitals demanded higher fees there than in the San Gabriel Valley and Ventura areas, where the company has other operations . . . .”

Whereas each participating doctor may have his / her own perspective with respect to dealing with Huntington Provider Group (HPG), my belief is that it failed not necessarily on financial but on business practices.

Despite “town meetings” and visits from their representatives, conditions did not improve. What are these deplorable conditions?

* Having my business manager (at my expense) hang on the telephone for up to 30 minutes waiting to speak to a live representative.

* Having to repeatedly submit letters for service and claims before receiving a response. Rarely could we respond to a patient’s need in a timely fashion due to “never having received” letters or faxes. Whether this was strategic or fell through the cracks, the effect was the same--terribly disruptive and procrastinated care and a strain upon the patient-doctor relationship.

* A dictatorial approach to how to care for the patients--”my way or the highway.” After 22 years in practice, I have a better idea about how to manage a patient in terms of the need of a qualified assistant in the operating room than does a high school diploma HPG representative. I also believe I am better qualified to determine the need and length of stay regarding postoperative care.

I could accept for a while their financial reimbursement if I had been paid in a timely and accurate fashion. However:

* Payment was delayed three to six months.

* Errors in payment were always made in HPG’s favor.

* Payment for multiple procedures performed was frequently lumped, terribly reducing reimbursement.

I spoke to Dr. Barton Wald a few months ago about reimbursement. I told him that at 72% of Medicare rates, I needed a “light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel” reassurance that I could eventually obtain respectable reimbursement.

Nothing changed. Other physicians and I had alternatives. We resigned. I believe that HPG failed because of its high-handed manner and incompetence in personal and business relationships.

PAUL MILBERG, MD, Tarzana