Some good news in the ongoing UPMC/Highmark donnybrook.
UPMC must continue to see Highmark's Medicare Advantage members on an in-network basis as the two sides negotiate terms on disputed payments, a judge ruled today.
UPMC quickly issued a statement saying it will appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.
Commonwealth Court President Judge Dan Pellegrini, in granting a motion filed by the state, said UPMC would remain an in-network provider for Highmark Medicare Advantage Plan members for the duration of the five-year consent decrees signed last summer.
He also ordered that the two Western Pennsylvania health care giants make no change to their business relations, "no matter how small," without court approval.
Frankly, I think all relations between health care providors and/or insurance providers should be subject to court approval. Playing with peoples' lives for profit is not nice.