Denver In tandem with the release of its third-quarter earnings, Coram Healthcare said that its Resource Network subsidiaries, Resource Network and Independent Practice Association, filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Collectively called R-Net, the subsidiaries manage a network of contract providers on behalf of managed care organizations.

The announcement on Nov. 12 came roughly three months after some R-Net providers, including Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Apria Healthcare Group, filed an involuntary bankruptcy petition against R-Net seeking payment for past-due invoices. Coram hasn't paid them due to its outstanding claims against Aetna U.S. Healthcare, company officials said. Coram and Aetna have filed lawsuits against each other, both claiming breach of contract and misrepresentation regarding a master agreement entered into in April 1998. The trial date is set for April 3, 2000.

"The best course of action for R-Net is to discontinue operations, and the best course of action for Coram is to maintain and strengthen its focus on its core operations," said Donald Amaral, Coram chairman and interim CEO.

R-Net's revenues were $10.3 million for the third quarter, compared with $24.3 million in the same quarter last year.

For the third quarter ended Sept. 30, Coram recorded net revenues of $143.2 million, compared to $143.6 million for the same quarter last year. Coram's infusion therapy business accounted for the most revenue, $113.7 million, up from $105.7 million for the same quarter last year. Its prescription services accounted for $23.6 million, up from $13.6 million a year ago.-S.H.