Anthem Blue Cross Sued by Dr. Jeffrey Nordella for Limiting Its Preferred Provider Network Resulting in Less Access to Health Care - San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Anthem Blue Cross Sued by Dr. Jeffrey Nordella for Limiting Its Preferred Provider Network Resulting in Less Access to Health Care

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SOURCE J. Nordella, MD

Los Angeles Law Suit Alleges Insurer Puts Profits Over Patients

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Jury selection began today in a Los Angeles Superior Court case involving a claim that giant healthcare insurer Anthem Blue Cross excludes primary care doctors from its Preferred Provider Network who advocate for patient care, resulting in less access to health care for its members.

Dr. Nordella, an ardent patient advocate, claims in the lawsuit that Anthem Blue Cross, the largest for-profit health insurer in California, puts profits before patients by unlawfully excluding qualified doctors from its Preferred Provider Network. Because there is a shortage of primary care physicians in California, and LA County, Blue Cross' exclusion of primary care doctors (such as Dr. Nordella) restricts its plan members' access to healthcare, according to the lawsuit.

Opening statements will begin Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 10 a.m. in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Department 71, Room 729, 111 North Hill Street, LA 90012.

The lawsuit , filed on August 24, 2010, alleges that Anthem Blue Cross excluded Dr. Nordella – a primary care doctor - from its provider network even though he meets the company's eligibility criteria, was a Participating Provider for Anthem Blue Cross for over ten years, and accepts the terms of its contract.

Dr. Nordella, a primary care doctor for 22 years, is the medical director of Porter Ranch Quality Care in California, which serves patients in the communities of Porter Ranch and Northridge.  His patients represent the rich diversity of the region and the most fragile populations.  Sixty-eight (68) percent of the population is minority, 30 percent are children and 23 percent are the elderly.

"By unlawfully excluding Dr. Nordella, a primary care doctor, from its Preferred Provider Network, Anthem Blue Cross is limiting patients' access to health care," said attorney Theresa Barta. 

The case is being heard in Los Angeles Superior Court, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Department 71, Room 729, 111 North Hill Street, LA 90012

Press Contact For Dr. Jeffrey Nordella, MD:
Ann D'Amato, (310) 963-2981
ann@3dnetworkscorp.com

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