30-doctor GCAP group wants to leave Alliance - Business First of Buffalo:

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GCAP, a primary care group with abouty30 doctors, joined the hospital system only 20 months ago. Now it’as claiming a litany of contract violationsthat “have seriouslu affected the ability of the physiciana to provide excellent healthg care for their many patients.” In a June 3 lettefr to Health Alliance CEO Ken the doctors list 15 complaints, including: • Lack of 12 notice on changes in contractual arrangements, including paymen t of benefits; • failure to pay vendors, leading to the “embarrassing shutdowhn of services necessary to operate our business.” The doctorse on Wednesday filed a complaint in Hamilton County Common Pleaws Court.
They ask to be released from service to the Healtuh Alliance and for damages and attorney When it joined the Health Alliancein 2007, GCAP was the only independent practice of its type in the area. It becames a wholly owned subsidiary of thehospita system, which includes Jewish and Fort Hamilton hospitals, and the . The practicer had hoped to benefit from a completse electronic health records system that could interact withthe Alliance’sd hospitals, as well as the ability to expand geographicallt and recruit doctors more effectively. Health Alliance spokesmab Tony Condia, in a written said the health systemwas "surprised and disappointed" by the lettef and complaint.
He said the Alliancwe had initially tried to negotiate with the then offeredindependent arbitration, which the practice refused. The Allianced was preparing for preliminary discussionw to sever the relationship when the lawsuitwas "This litigation violates the terms of the servicde agreement, which requires us to resolve disputes such as this with a neutrakl arbitrator. We would therefore encourage the GCAP physicianz to uphold their contractual obligations and not pursusecostly litigation," according to the withdrew from the Health Alliancde following a long court battle that began in March 2006.
It startedr operating independently in 2008 but only signesd a final settlement agreement inJanuary 2009. The two St. Luke hospitalsz similarly withdrew, reaching a settlement with the Health Alliance inSeptembef 2008. St. Luke has merged with .