The Golden State gets at best mediocre grades in a second annual Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) quality of care report card released by the California Department of Insurance.
"California PPOs rank in the middle of the pack compared with the national average, and show some of the lowest overall scores that California has ever seen," says California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. " HMOs began reporting on quality in 2001.
"I got PPOs to join the effort beginning last year," Poizner adds. "I am grateful for their cooperation, but this report card shows they will have to do better. This should be their wake-up call."
The PPO Ratings At-a-Glance report card ranked the state's six preferred provider organizations–Aetna PPO, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California/Blue Shield Life, CIGNA Healthcare of California, Health Net of California and UnitedHealthcare (California). The organizations were given rankings of one to four stars (one being poor, four being excellent) on three criteria: (1) meeting national standards of care; (2) getting care easily; and (3) plan service.
The ratings are based on a set of standards developed by the National Committee on Quality Assurance.
None of the providers earned four stars on any ranking. Aetna PPO, CIGNA PPO and UnitedHealthcare each earned three stars for meeting national standards of care, especially for asthma, diabetes, cancer and pediatrics.
