Blue Cross of California halts letters amid furor

Blue Cross of California has halted its practice of asking physicians in a letter to look for medical conditions that could be used to cancel patients' insurance coverage. The insurer had sent physicians copies of insurance applications filled out by new patients, along with the letter advising them the company had a right to drop members who failed to disclose "material medical history." Physicians, patients, privacy experts and officials criticized the move, and urged Blue Cross to stop the practice.