What's New With UMPC/Highmark

Throughout the summer, this blog highlighted the ongoing debate between UMPC, one of western Pennsylvania’s largest physician networks, and Highmark, a health insurance giant in western Pennsylvania.  The two companies had been in negotiation for months about renewing their contracts for the upcoming renewal period on their contract.  Since they could not reach a favorable agreement for both parties, the companies have launched campaigns against each other in order to draw customers toward their service and away from the other’s company.  Additionally, Highmark bought a rival healthcare company in the area, which is UMPC’s biggest competitor for physicians and patients.  This only served to fuel the fire of competition between the two organizations, which is still continuing on today.

The latest update involved advertisements put out by UMPC under the slogan “Keep Your Doctor”.  Highmark filed a lawsuit against UMPC for this campaign, which was recently overruled by a Pittsburgh area judge.  The judge cited lack of evidence as the primary reason why Highmark’s lawsuit against UPMC was unfounded thus far in regards to the advertising campaign.  As of this point, Highmark insured patients will be able to use UMPC doctors through summer 2013.   

As mentioned many  times in this blog, if you have Highmark insurance and are also a patient within the UPMC Healthcare system, Attorney Doug Stoehr advises you to carefully examine any correspondence that your health insurance and medical provider may send you.  It is important to be as knowledgeable as possible about what you are entitled to from your insurance company and your healthcare provider, especially when major changes are occurring within those systems.

Attorney Stoehr is a lawyer specializing in personal injury and services the western and central Pennsylvania area.  If you would like to consult with him about a possible personal injury claim, please contact our law office.