MANAGED CARE: HIV-Positive Participant Voices Support
HIV-positive HMO member John Riley praises managed care in a recent Los Angeles Times opinion piece. "Many people are surprised that someone with AIDS would support managed care," he said. "But the truth is managed care has benefits that traditional fee-for-service medicine does not for people with chronic illness." He writes that HMOs "usually cove[r]" prescription drugs "for a low co-payment," they do not have lifetime benefit limits that some traditional fee-for-service plans do, and that "HMOs are working with medical groups to identify treatment options for HIV/AIDS members that work best." He said, "HMOs can be advocates for those with HIV/AIDS. If you don't get the medical care or drugs you need, immediately let your doctor, medical group and HMO know of your concerns." He points out, "Many times, members only let their doctors know of their concerns without notifying their medical group and HMO." Riley concludes that people should "become as knowledgeable about their condition as they can and learn how to work with their doctor, medical group and HMO as effectively as possible" (Los Angeles Times, 9/5).
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