Blue cross docs search for options as IPA declines new membership.

First, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas informed 250 Harris County physicians that they would have to join one of four local independent practice associations if they wished to continue to serve HMO Blue Texas patients.

Now, Heritage Physicians Network, the largest IPA of the four, is declining to accept any of the Blue Cross physicians. Heritage officials say they were unable to execute a contract to expand the IPA's services with Blue Cross.

"We simply ran out of time and weren't able to come to an agreement during the time period we allowed for," says Chuck Trinchitella, vice president and executive director of Heritage.

He adds that Blue …