ISMS Statement on Blue Cross Blue Shield Fine for NAT Act Violation

ISMS Statement on Blue Cross Blue Shield Fine for NAT Act Violation
Statement attributable to Rodney S. Alford, M.D., M.B.A., President, Illinois State Medical Society

The Illinois State Medical Society is pleased to see the Illinois Department of Insurance using the authority granted to them under the ISMS-backed Network Adequacy and Transparency (NAT) Act and holding Health Care Service Corporation, the parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, accountable for yet another violation.

It’s remarkable that this company continues to ignore the NAT Act’s requirements to maintain up-to-date, accurate and complete provider directory information for their customers – the patients of Illinois. Inaccurate directory information is frustrating to patients and leads to delays in care. Instead of paying repeated fines now totaling well beyond a million dollars for continued violations of the NAT Act, do the right thing and keep those directories up to date so patients can get the healthcare they deserve.

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Founded in 1840, ISMS is a professional membership association representing Illinois physicians in all medical specialties, and their patients, statewide.