Covered California To Require Plans To Assign Primary Care Doctors To All Patients
The agency approved the primary physician requirement in its new three-year contract with insurers. Such relationships help consumers "navigate the system," according to Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California.
KPCC:
Covered California Acts To Ensure Everyone Gets A Primary Care Doctor
In an attempt to improve patients' decision-making, Covered California is now requiring all types of health plans to assign a primary care doctor to their members. The policy shift is in the agency's new contract with insurers, approved by the Covered California board last week. It will affect preferred provider network plans - PPOs - in particular. A consumer favorite, PPO plans allow members to go to any doctor – specialist or otherwise – without a referral from a primary care physician. (O'Neill, 4/15)