Dispute Resolution
The WSMA believes health plan contracts should include provisions that
would: 1) permit physicians to mandate mediation and binding arbitration
to resolve disputes with carriers, but would also ensure that physicians
and non-physician providers have access to the court system in cases where
the transactions costs of mediation and arbitration are not suitable,
where substantial issues of law reform are present or in other appropriate
cases; and, 2) define issues subject to arbitration in such cases as all
disputes, including termination without cause by carriers, for reasons
that are inappropriate. (Res C-7, A-99) (Reaffirmed A-23)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services