Survey Lists State Health-Care Complaints
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In the rapidly changing world of managed care, one thing seems to remain the same--patient complaints.
California Health Decisions, an Orange-based nonprofit organization, recently surveyed 100 members of California health plans and 100 physicians. One-third of the participants said they had encountered problems getting health-plan approvals or referrals to medical specialists or certain treatments.
Many complained of having to wait too long for approvals. Others express confusion about how the processes work and believe no one is doing a good job of keeping them informed.
Respondents also expressed frustration over changes in coverage for prescription drugs, confusion over use of emergency-room services, and the sense that cost counts too much in decisions about their care.
The organization is funded by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the James Irvine Foundation, and providers of health-care services, insurance and drugs.
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