Healthcare

Curb on HMO price hikes urged

December 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>A consumer group wants legislation to regulate premium hikes.</h3><p class="source">The Sacramento Bee</p> <p>A California consumer advocacy group Thursday called for legislation to limit the ability of HMOs to raise health insurance premiums without prior permission from state regulators.</p>

Major California HMOs fatten as insurance costs rise

December 5, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>California's biggest HMOs are getting richer even as rising medical costs strain the budgets of their customers, according to financial figures filed with state regulators.</p>

Insurers begin charging more for some hospitals and doctors

November 21, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Associated Press</p> <p>Some insurance companies are trying yet another tactic to drive down health care costs, using tiered medical coverage to steer patients from high-priced hospitals and doctors to less expensive ones.</p>

Kaiser will pay fine of $1 million over care

November 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p> <p>Kaiser Permanente will pay a $1 million fine - the largest in California history against a full-service health plan - to settle a longstanding legal battle with regulators that began with a patient's death, state officials announced Friday.</p>

Kaiser to pay $1 million fine over death; HMO had disagreed with state on its authority on access to care

November 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Ending an acrimonious battle with state regulators, Kaiser Permanente agreed to pay a record $1 million fine Friday to settle a case surrounding the death of a 74-year-old San Leandro woman whose treatment was allegedly delayed at its Hayward hospital.</p>

Kaiser Will Pay $1-Million Fine for Death;

November 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The state's biggest HMO gives in to regulators who said thefirm failed to deliver timely care to a woman who died of an aneurysm.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The fine, initially imposed in May 2000, is the state's largest against a full-service health maintenance organization, said Daniel Zingale, director of the California Department of Managed Health Care.</p>

Health care more costly, more elusive than ever

November 16, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The North County Times</p> <p>Community officials gathered at a town hall meeting Friday concluded that getting people, particularly working people and children, the health care they need is more expensive and elusive than ever.</p>

Kaiser Permanente to Pay $1 Million Fine for HMO Patient Death

November 9, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">American Health Line</p> <p>The California Department of Managed Health Care imposed the $1 million fine, the largest the department has issued against an HMO, in May 2000. Kaiser had "vigorously fought" the fine but decided to end objections to "move on,"..</p>

It can’t hurt to get 2nd opinion;

November 3, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>American Heart Association offers guidelines</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>When it comes to serious medical conditions, getting a "second opinion" is often not only a good idea, it can be a requirement. Health insurers will, in some cases, insist on a second opinion before they'll agree to pay for an unusual or particularly e</p>

UCI adopts medical error plan

October 28, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Hospitals: Staff won't immediately face penalty. UC program first assumes that the system is at fault.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>University of California hospitals hope to reduce medical errors by promising not to punish the doctors and nurses who make mistakes -- a move that could revolutionize the culture of hospitals across the country.</p>

Help with making health-care choices.

October 13, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>There's no reason for making uninformed decisions, given the number of public and private resources.</h3><p class="source">The Orange County Register</p> <p>Whether you're deciding among health plans, hospitals or doctors, there's no dearth of information to help you navigate your way -- and to educate yourself on the ABCs of our health-care system while you're at it. Here are some useful resources:</p>

House says ‘yes’ by narrow margin, Senate stalling as Congress eyes tort reform

October 6, 2002  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State delegation split over medical liability reform legislation's worth</h3><p class="source">The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS)</p> <p>Essentially the same political scenario is being played out in the U.S. Capitol as well as in Mississippi, as Congress confronts the same issue.</p>