ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 2, 1993                   TAG: 9311020136
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: HOT SPRINGS                                LENGTH: Short


DOCTORS CONSIDER STATEWIDE NETWORK

The Medical Society of Virginia is considering setting up a statewide physicians' network that would negotiate directly with employers to provide health care.

The society, meeting last weekend at The Homestead resort, voted to study possibly offering health-care services currently handled by insurance companies, health-management organizations and similar groups.

Richmond psychiatrist James Shield, the new president of the 6,400-member society, said Dr. Russel Evett of Norfolk will head a panel of doctors that will spend several months studying whether a network would be feasible.

If the committee finds it is, the society would set up a corporate management structure and begin soliciting membership. - Associated Press



 by CNB