Physicians contracting with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) will see a average 2.1 percent increase in their payments from the insurer beginning September 1, 2003. The physician fee boost will be implemented across all types of coverage, including indemnity, HMO, point of service, and preferred provider organization services.

For OB/GYNs, rates on delivery codes will increase by 8 percent to help maintain access to care for BCBSMA members, while rates on all nondelivery codes will increase by an average 2.1 percent. For emergency department (ED) physicians, rates on ED E&M codes will increase by 9 percent, with rates for all other services increasing by an average 2.1 percent. Other specialty specific fee schedules will be released later this summer, according to Jim Fanale, M.D., chief medical officer of BCBSMA.

This increase marks the fourth consecutive year that the not-for-profit organization has increased physician reimbursements. As BCBSMA plans for 2004, the state's largest insurer said it will introduce performance-based quality and cost measures that will increase physicians' total compensation.

- Dana Holmes
- Elaine Kirshenbaum