Physicians, Paramount Health Care still working on pact

5/2/2003

NorthWest Ohio Specialists and Paramount Health Care were trying to work out an agreement last night to beat a midnight deadline that, without an pact, would cut off Paramount patients' access to 150 NWOS specialists.

“We're still talking,” said Robert Martin, executive director of NWOS.

Because a resolution is unclear, both sides are implementing patient transition plans.

Mr. Martin said he wasn't sure what the immediate impact would be on patients if NWOS fails to reach an agreement, but it's likely Paramount patients would no longer be reimbursed for care from NWOS physicians in a matter of days. However, more information on the status of the negotiations should be available today.

About 150,000 people are in Paramount's Ohio HMO product; about 25,000 of those received care last year from an NWOS physician.