The managed care industry has grown dramatically in recent years.
Employers, insurance carriers, hospitals and the general public have
sought alternative means or providing comprehensive health care at
reduced costs. The result in California has been HMO’s, which is the
most cost effective option for employers trying to find health insurance
for their employees. The HMO advertises that it will provide quality
health care. Unfortunately, in many cases, appropriate health care is
denied due to financial incentives the HMO gives to its doctors to
provide less care (ie. fewer blood tests, x-rays and referrals to
specialists etc.) In other words, to control costs, the HMO incentizes
“top sheet” analysis. In some cases this has resulted in improper
diagnosis, inadequate treatment and/or a complete denial of specialized
treatment. In these instances, permanent injury or death can be the
result

One of the biggest HMO’s in southern California made a 650 million
dollar profit in 1998. They also drew several lawsuits that resulted in
a loss of several million of those dollars. Putting profits ahead of
patient care is flat out wrong! Disguising their profit motives as
“fiscally responsible medicine” is at least condescending if not
sickening. If you would like to know more about your rights as a
consumer, let us know.

The choice of a HMO or fee-for-service medicine is simple to me. It’s a
choice of reasonable care at a HMO or bankruptcy caused by fee-for-service
medical providers.

Make no mistake about it, fee-for-service medicine is too expensive. It’s
just that simple. If you don’t think that the medical folks will take all
(and I do mean ALL) of your assets (house, bank account, auto, everything
you have), just get sick without insurance. You will be a believer quick!
There is no teacher as good as experience.