82-year-old Bill Steere of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, has been seeing a doctor at A-M-S Cardiology for life-threatening heart problems for more than 2 years.
But now he has to find a new cardiologist, and is very upset.
"I am at a point where anything can happen and I can't go running around the neighborhood looking for a doctor," Steere told Action News.
He is one of about 8-thousand patients at A-M-S Cardiology with Aetna Insurance. The practice handles about 90% of the cardiac cases from Abington Memorial Hospital, which is across the street.
Dr. Scott Shapiro, one of nearly 20 doctors in the A-M-S practice, says Aetna has not increased reimbursements for 6 years. he says he and his partners have little choice but to cut ties with the company.
Dr. Shapiro says, "The fact that we have not seen in increase is very upsetting, but what's even worse is that their rates are 30- to 40-percent below the national average."
"It makes it an impossible situation for any practice to survive," he went on.
Shapiro also says when they started negotiating with Aetna, the company mistakenly sent them an internal memo recognizing the practice was under-paid.
Walt Cherniak, a spokesperson for Aetna gave Action News a statement, in part saying.
"Aetna has offered a rate increase that is inline with what other cardiologists in the area are receiving. But they are asking for unrealistic increases that would force our customers to pay a significantly higher cost of care and more money out-of-pocket."
Dr. Shapiro says the increase Aetna offers does not cover cost of living increases, and is still below the national average.
As the dispute continues, patients are growing more concerned.
Denise Riley, of North Wales, told us, "It's very scary, very frightening and if you go outside network, it's also very expensive."
Several local lawmakers have also gotten involved, hoping to help the two sides reach an agreement.
However, they do not see any signs of hope.
Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro, who was a state representative for Abington, says he is, "very frustrated with the lack of response, or the incomplete response" from Aetna.
Shapiro says his office has received numerous calls, emails, and letters from A-M-S patients.
He is hoping to meet again with Aetna officials, but hasn't has much success in arranging a meeting.For now, Aetna says their latest offer is still on the table. Doctors at A-M-S say it is an unfair offer.
