ARBITRATION RECORDS.

Modern Physician

A California group has petitioned the state’s Department of Managed Health Care in an attempt to make public all medical arbitration records.

The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the Health Administration Responsibility Project formally asked the DMHC Feb. 13 to open all records dealing with health plan arbitration. Executive Director Jamie Court says a January study proves that health plans aren’t meeting reporting requirements. California law requires health plans to report all arbitration cases to the state. However, that study’s author concedes the report may not be accurate and likely didn’t include complete data (see Feb. 12, page 3).

DMHC director Daniel Zingale says he agrees it’s important to collect information about arbitration and to collect the correct information. But, he says, whether to disclose that information may be up to the governor and Legislature. State law, Zingale says, prohibits the DMHC from releasing any personally identifiable information.