Healthcare

Court case testing HMOs;

June 4, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>STATE AGENCY LOOKS TO REGULATE INSURERS' PRESCRIPTIONS COVERAGE</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>A long-running court case pitting the state's HMO watchdog agency against health insurer Blue Shield will continue after a recent ruling appeared to reinforce the agency's ability to regulate HMO prescription drugs but questioned whether it should apply</p>

Reduce medical errors to cut malpractice insurance rates

May 27, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Rochester Democrat and Chronicle</p> <p>If doctors spent as much time lobbying their insurers and state agencies to hold negligent doctors accountable as they spend trying to limit victims' rights, both doctors and patients would benefit.</p>

Blues in the black; Earnings rise 43% as enrollment shoots up

May 26, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>''The Blues' record profits are being fueled by skyrocketing premiums,'' said Jerry Flanagan of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, Santa Monica, Calif., which is sponsoring a bill to require California insurers to gain state approval befo</p>

Aetna to settle suit filed by physicians;

May 23, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Health plan agrees to pay doctors faster, ease authorizations</h3><p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>Leading health insurer Aetna Inc. yesterday agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by 700,000 physicians by promising to pay them faster and remove authorization burdens the doctors said delayed and even harmed patient care.</p>

Rx for Lawsuit Pain?;

May 21, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Docs rally for laws setting limits on malpractice awards</h3><p class="source">Newsday (New York)</p> <p>But if the $250,000 cap on pain and suffering were the law of the land, families trying to recover noneconomic damages would have a hard time finding a lawyer to take cases, even if there were gross negligence, according to FTCR</p>

Nursing A Grudge

May 16, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Nader Says Health Care Has New Enemy: Big Labor</h3><p class="source">OC Weekly (Orange County, CA)</p> <p>In a statement issued on behalf of the California Nurses Association (CNA), Nader says the deal is the latest example of big unions signing "backroom deals" with questionable health-care corporations at the expense of the greater public good.</p>

Physicians see conflict, feel betrayed

May 11, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Lawsuits Filed</h3><p class="source">Asbury Park Press (New Jersey)</p> <p>Attorneys have joined with consumer advocacy groups nationwide to fight liability limits, saying such limits would harm children, elderly, female and disabled patients most, since they are less likely to be reimbursed for lost wages - a significant compon</p>

Legal, Medical Help Scarce As Teacher Fights For Normal Life

May 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Bobbie Jenke - Santa Rosa, California</h3>

Doctors Fail to Do Simple Blood Test, Man Loses Leg

May 9, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Gary Rushford - San Jose, California</h3>

Rights on HMOs little used

May 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Survey finds patients and doctors are unaware of a state law granting independent appeals of insurer decisions.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Most Californians remain unaware of their rights to appeal medical coverage decisions, and many of those who have used the review program believe it is skewed in favor of their health plans, according to a study released last week.</p>

HMO that serves Medicaid patients criticized for hefty profits

May 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press State & Local Wire</p> <p>Molina Healthcare Inc., one of the nation's most profitable HMOs that serves Medicaid patients, is under fire for hefty profit margins at a time when states are slashing health programs and as doctors claim they are losing too much money caring for Medic</p>

HMO Criticized for High Profit From Low-Income Patients;

May 4, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Some say Molina's hefty margins may come at expense of quality care. Supporters cite diverse coverage for its success.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>But according to some health professionals, consumer advocates and independent reviews, Molina profits partly because its members don't see doctors when they should and may not complain when they are denied care.</p>