Healthcare

Calif judge rejects HMO contempt motion

December 10, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">United Press International</p> <p>A federal judge in Los Angeles refused Monday to charge the head of California's Department of Managed Care with contempt over a $1.1 million fine against a major health maintenance organization that was based, in part, on the death of a patient</p>

Battle over HMO penalty challenges state’s authority

December 10, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Critics say Kaiser is trying to intimidate the state's top healthcare official. The company questions the use of a Medicare case to justify a $1.1 million fine</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News</p> <p>An arcane legal battle playing out in California is raising pivotal consumer health issues that could affect patient protections for millions of California seniors -- and, some fear, compromise the ability of the state's top HMO regulator to do his job.</p>

Kaiser HMO, New State Regulator Square Off

December 7, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Firm is trying to overturn the young agency's $1.1-million fine for alleged fatal lapses in care.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Kaiser Permanente, the state's largest HMO, and the fledgling California Department of Managed Health Care are butting heads in a case that tests regulators' ability to penalize health plans for alleged lapses in patient care.</p>

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan asks court to find state regulator in contempt

November 28, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The director of the state's Department of Managed Health Care was ordered Wednesday to appear in federal court to answer charges that he violated federal law by fining Kaiser Foundation Health Plan $1.1 million for poor emergency room care.</p>

Judge halts release of medical groups’ records by state agency

September 26, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>A judge agreed Wednesday to temporarily halt the state Department of Managed Health Care's planned release of medical group's financial information.</p>

HPR, KAISER RATE HIGH ON SURVEY

September 25, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>STATEWIDE STUDY CRITICIZES HMOS FOR DELAYS AT DOCTORS' OFFICES</h3><p class="source">The Press Democrat</p> <p>The two largest health maintenance organizations in Sonoma County - - Kaiser Permanente and Health Plan of the Redwoods -- received generally favorable ratings in a patient survey conducted by the new California Department of Managed Health Care</p>

California gives its largest HMOs their first report card; Plans measured in 17 categories of care

September 24, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>California has issued its first report card on health-maintenance organizations, which indicates that many health plans fall short in several areas regarding the care of their members.</p>

OFFICIALS SAY KAISER PHYSICIANS ACCESSIBLE

September 5, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>IMPROVED POLICIES, SATISFIED PATIENTS CITED IN WAKE OF CRITICISM</h3><p class="source">The Press Democrat</p> <p>Kaiser Permanente officials, who came under fire last weekend for limiting patient access to doctors in the late 1990s, said Tuesday they have worked to remove any barriers and have made it easier for patients to see their physicians quickly.</p>

Kaiser Made It Hard to See an MD, Critics Say

September 1, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>HMO hindered Northern California patients' access to doctors, papers show. But service is better of late, a top physician says.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Kaiser Permanente, the largest HMO in California, presented two very different faces in the late 1990s. Publicly, it promoted itself in an advertising campaign as a health maintenance organization whose patients were "in the hands of doctors."</p>

PATIENTS’ RIGHTS: WOULD HOUSE BILL ‘TRUMP’ CALIF., TEXAS?

August 7, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>California Department of Managed Health Care Director Daniel Zingale said yesterday that patients' rights legislation (HR 2563) approved by the U.S. House last week "would undermine" the state's review procedures</p>

Official Sees Peril to HMO Reforms

August 6, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Chief of state agency says House bill would create an appeals fee and cap potential damages.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>California's HMO czar warned Sunday that patient-protection legislation passed by the U.S. House last week would undermine the state's reforms that took effect in January.</p>

House bill may erode rights of Calif. patients

August 6, 2001  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>A patients' bill of rights passed by the House of Representatives late last week will undermine HMO reform efforts in the state, the California Department of Managed Health Care said over the weekend.</p>