Healthcare

Loosening their grip;

April 15, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>As HMOs' popularity continues to erode, more plans turn to less-restrictive rules. But with costs rising, what's next?</h3><p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>It has been two years since UnitedHealth Group essentially ripped up the managed-care rule book by shedding its preapproval requirements and granting doctors final say over how they treat their patients.</p>

David M. Lawrence; CEO led Kaiser through HMO storm

March 31, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Some have criticized Kaiser -- and Lawrence in particular -- for trying to mimic the structure of for-profit HMOs and straying off course with overly aggressive expansion plans.</p>

Face-Off in Assembly Over Health-Care ADR

March 13, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>While Kaiser defends mandatory arbitration to lawmakers, attorneys and nurses disagree.</h3><p class="source">Daily Journal</p> <p>Consumer advocates urged members of two state legislative committees Tuesday to pass legislation banning mandatory arbitration in health care disputes, contending it is unfair and biased against patients.</p>

Health Care Disputes at Issue

March 11, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Policy: Arbitration provider breaks with HMOs, saying it will no longer handle such cases unless both sides agree to the out-of-court process.</p>

Health insurance companies that refuse to pay

March 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">ABC-TV World News Tonight</p> <p>PETER JENNINGS, anchor: Most Americans depend on their employers for health insurance. Some small businesses cannot afford traditional insurance. And with special insurers come special risks.</p>

State HMO regulator snagged in web of legal challenges

February 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>A year-and-a-half into his tenure as the state's head regulator over the managed-care industry, Daniel Zingale is facing a series of legal challenges that could limit his department's ability to govern health plans.</p>

QUOTE OF THE DAY

January 16, 2002  ·  Jamie Court

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>"Fundamentally, it's a mirage. If they really wanted to change the quality of care patients received, they would pay doctors more for treating the sicker patients."</p>

PacifiCare to link doctors, cost

January 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>PacifiCare of California plans next year to roll out new health-maintenance organizations in which members who choose "preferred" primary doctors will be rewarded with lower deductibles and co-payments.</p>

Health care plans sign on to rating system for doctors

January 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>A coalition of California health plans, employers and physician groups announced an effort yesterday designed to improve the quality of health care by paying doctors more for better performance.</p>

Health Plans to Pay Bonuses for Quality

January 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Pact by six state insurers is further sign of disenchantment with HMO system.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Six of California's largest health insurers said Tuesday they will begin paying bonuses to doctors for providing superior treatment, giving further evidence that the current system of fixed HMO payments for patient care rapidly is coming unglued.</p>

Critical Condition: California’s Department of Managed Health Care is fighting for its life.

January 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Will a court challenge from Kaiser strip the agency of its power to regulate HMOs after only nineteen months on the job?</h3><p class="source">East Bay Express</p> <p>Margaret Utterback awoke on the morning of January 26, 1996, with abdominal pain so severe that she wanted to see her doctor right away. The 74-year-old San Leandro resident and Kaiser health plan enrollee</p>

Bonus plan will reward doctors for quality of care

January 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Diego Union Tribune</p> <p>In a move aimed at improved health, six of the largest managed-care plans in California will award bonuses to doctors groups based on the quality of care they give their patients.</p>