The California Office of the Patient Advocate has released assessments of numerous health plans based on select clinical services, according to a Kaiser Health News report.
The “report cards” assessed health plan aspects such as cancer treatment, mental health, chronic disease management and patient satisfaction. The results were released in time for people to review them before the open enrollment period begins on Nov. 15.
The agency-generated quality report cards used a four-star scale to assess 10 health maintenance organizations, six preferred provider organizations and 200 medical groups.
Every HMO reviewed was rated “good” or “excellent” in the “ability to provide quality clinical services” category. However, with the exception of Kaiser Permanente, the HMOs were rated "poor" on ability to get services easily.
Ever PPO reviewed was rated “good” or “fair” in the “ability to provide quality clinical services” category, and only two providers — Aetna and Cigna — received marks of "poor" in "getting services easily."
California HHS Agency Secretary Diana Dooley expressed her hope that customers would be able to make more informed healthcare decisions using the report cards.