The committee provides the forum for the physicians to be heard. Schneiderman tells the story of how the committee modestly began. Both physicians and Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield senior executives shared some initial reservations about the quarterly committee which were soon overcome. Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield also provided a good mix of primary care and specialist physicians for the committee because we needed to know what they were thinking and how we could receive their input to improve our health plan. We have representatives from many medical specialties and our senior management on the committee.
Participants also get to network with each other and conduct business.
Physicians who serve on the committee agree. Jack Donovan, M.D., has been on the committee since its beginning. We ve been able to solve problems and keep a good dialogue going. As far as I know, Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only managed care organization in this town that will sit down with physicians and listen to our concerns. Dr. Donovan praises John O Rourke, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield, for his participation.