FROM THE FOUNDATION

Redefining the Safety Net

Should California establish a Basic Health Program for certain low-income residents? CHCF's Marian Mulkey captures a recent policy conversation in a Health Affairs blog.

Accountable Care in Action

A new post on the Health Affairs blog details how CalPERS kept costs down in Sacramento through a "virtual" ACO with insurers and providers.

Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer

This position will play a major role in furthering the goals and objectives of the foundation's Better Chronic Disease Care program.

Health Plans

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

California Insurers Fall Short of Top Marks in New PPO Report Card

On Tuesday, the California Department of Insurance unveiled a PPO report card designed to help consumers compare ratings on five major health plans in the state, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.

A state report card for HMOs has been in place since 2002.

The new Web site rates PPOs on criteria such as asthma care, cancer screenings, diabetes care and pediatric health (Sacramento Business Journal, 11/17).

The department compared PPO care quality scores with standards set by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The scores also take consumer feedback into account.

The report card awarded:

  • Three stars to Aetna, CIGNA and Health Net of California; and
  • Two stars to Anthem Blue Cross and United Healthcare.
The report card did not rate Blue Shield of California because the health plan did not submit care quality data. Blue Shield said it plans to participate next year (AP/Ventura County Star, 11/17).



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