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California has finally decided to lay down the law to HMOs:
The regulations by the California Department of Managed Health Care, in the works for much of the last decade, will require that patients be treated by HMO doctors within 10 business days of requesting an appointment, and by specialists within 15. Patients seeking urgent care that does not require prior authorization must be seen within 48 hours.
Yes, that’s right. After seven years of negotiations, HMOs have finally agreed that patients shouldn’t be kept waiting more than two weeks to see a doctor, and not more than two days for urgent problems. And that’s for people who have insurance coverage. Best healthcare in the world, baby, best healthcare in the world.
