The feud between doctors and health insurers could be settled within weeks, provided doctors indicate a willingness to come back to the bargaining table, Health Insurance Association of Bermuda (HIAB) president Gerald Simons said yesterday.

And contrary to what doctors claimed last week, an legal injunction preventing them for billing their patients directly could be lifted very quickly, he added. "The injunction could be lifted in a matter of hours," Mr. Simons said. "The insurers have indicated that they would support lifting the injunction provided the physicians returned to the negotiating table and agreed to honour the existing health insurance coverage of the majority of people in Bermuda."

Insurers claim they were forced to take legal action last Monday because doctors were about to increase their fees unilaterally, without following the procedure laid down in law, and bill their patients directly. "I was in regular contact with physicians over several days right up to 2 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2002, to a arrange meeting and to encourage them not to proceed with their planned increases," said BF&M vice president Gina Bradshaw.

"The physicians agreed neither to meet nor to change their position on their proposed action. BF&M and Somers Isles were left with no choice but to apply for an injunction to protect the public and to avoid the unnecessary stress, confusion and hardship that the physicians' actions would have caused."

But Mr. Simons said HIAB remains committed to finding an agreeable solution. "The dispute has gone on long enough," he said. "It is now time to get back to the table to resolve the few remaining issues."

Last week doctors said they are now at a complete loss as to how to proceed with billing and did not know how long they could continue to operate without being reimbursed for their services. But Mr. Simons said insurers never stopped paying doctors nor did they attempt to restrict medical procedures in any way. "The current dispute pertains only to the schedule of fees for physicians' charges at the hospital," he said. "Some doctors have not been paid because they have not submitted claims or they have refused to assist their patients in properly completing claims."

Mr. Simons said doctors were clearly told there would be no restrictions on the use of CPT codes for surgeries. And he said the HIAB has already given negotiating ground to the physicians but their demands are too high.

"HIAB accepted the recommendation by the Financial Secretary and the Permanent Secretary for Health and Family Services to increase the benefits payable for surgery by nine percent and obstetrics by 12 percent," Mr. Simons said. "Physicians rejected that recommendation and continue to hold out for a 21 percent increase for surgeons and 14 percent for obstetricians.

"Insurers could not agree to these demands with inflation running between two and three per cent and the average worker in Bermuda receiving minimal increases in pay." But the HIAB wants quality health care to remain a reality in Bermuda as well, he said and there are a number of strategies still open to resolving the ongoing crisis. "The impasse could be referred to an arbitrator or mediator," he suggested.

Alternatively, lawyers could battle out the injunction in court. Or Government might be forced to bring in legislation when Parliament re-opens in November to set physicians fees.

"My preference would be to gather around the negotiating table with the physicians to work things out. With both sides bargaining in good faith and a bit of hard work we could resolve this issue in time to implement a new fee schedule by November 1, 2002."

"Recent assertions made in the press by the Bermuda Medical Society (BMS) and the Bermuda Medical Association (BMA) suggest that our enviable healthcare system is in jeopardy may have alarmed members of the public," Mr. Simons said.

"For over 30 years the people of Bermuda have enjoyed the benefit of first class health care services funded by affordable insurance premiums."