Dear Patients of Circle of Life Family Medicine,
** Two years ago, the contracting physician organization we have been a part of since moving to Norwell dissolved and we have sought a new contracting organization in order to be able to continue to take insurance. As many of the physicians in our previous group did, we became part of the POSS at South Shore Hospital. As the system evolved and changed in Massachusetts and around the country, the POSS affiliated under the South Shore Health IDN. We and the other independent doctors maintained our practices but used this association for insurance contracting purposes only. The POSS was dissolved last year as it was not able to support primary care physicians for many reasons. We, along with many other independent physicians, sought out a new contracting group. During this transition we notified the South Shore Health IDN that we would join another contracting group while maintaining our affiliation with the South Shore Hospital and paying dues for that affiliation. Though we are still looking into the details, insurance companies were then notified by the South Shore Health system that we were terminated.Most proceeded as if we were no longer practicing physicians, as if we were employed or owned by South Shore Health. Payors that we did not even contract with through the South Shore Health IDN were calling asking if we had closed our doors. TO BE CLEAR: We were NEVER employees of the South Shore Health system and we have never been acquired as a practice. They have no ability to terminate us as physicians. We credentialed and enrolled independently in 2008 in Massachusetts and have been in good standing since. Both Dr. Christopher and Dr. Jennifer are primary care doctors board certified in Family Medicine. Circle of Life Family Medicine remains independent. As every payor affiliated with our association with the IDN sent letters reassigning our patients, we know this information came from them but cannot confirm how nor why. Since January we have been attempting to resolve this issue with our new contracting group. It has been resolved moving forward with all but Harvard Pilgrim Health care, who continues to impede the process of resolution in order to provide care for their patients. If you have received such a notice and do not have Harvard Pilgrim, please disregard their notification. We are told new notices will come out but cannot confirm when. If you have Harvard Pilgrim, we are doing everything we can to confirm that all referrals and surgeries, prior authorizations and the like are paid for regardless of the issues at hand. We are addressing these issues daily and hope to have it resolved very soon. It baffles us that in a state where primary care groups are closing in droves, medical centers are losing PCPs by the handful, and hospitals are closing often, that not only is there no support for independent offices attempting to serve the community, but there even seems to be a directed effort to aid in their closure in favor of the conglomerate system taking over. We are seeking God's guidance and believe the independent physician has a vital role in our community still. Harvard Pilgrim patients, if you support our mission and want to remain patients, please call the insurance company or post on social media that this is your desire. We are running out of options. Thank you.

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