The California Assn. of Realtors said Monday it had sued Blue Shield of California to stop the health plan from canceling its contract and dropping coverage for as many as 8,000 Realtors and family members, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The flap is the latest example of how high health costs and changes in the marketplace are eroding the availability of group coverage.

“We were abruptly notified , by mail , that our insurance coverage was being canceled,” said association President Colleen Badagliacco. “Families are scrambling unsuccessfully to find replacement coverage.”

The healthcare of some members may be interrupted if they are unable to line up replacement coverage by May 31, the termination date set by Blue Shield, Badagliacco said.

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