This Independence Day, Exercise Your Freedom to Know the Quality of Health Care You Are Getting

SACRAMENTO, CA, Jul 02 (MARKET WIRE) --
This July 4th, California's Office of the Patient Advocate is urging
Californians to celebrate their independence by taking control of their
health care. One way Californians can do this is by using the Office of
the Patient Advocate's Health Care Quality Report Card to see how their
health insurance plan or doctor's medical group ratings compare to other
plans or groups. This resource can help give Californians the freedom to
get the most out of their health care, whether they are selecting a new
health insurance plan or doctor, or simply better utilizing the plan they
already have. In addition, it holds health insurance plans and doctors'
medical groups accountable for their past service.

"The Health Care Quality Report Card gives California health insurance
plan members the freedom to know the quality of health care they are
getting," said Sandra Perez, director, Office of the Patient Advocate.
"There are steps consumers can take to improve their health care and
protect their rights, and knowing as much as possible about your health
insurance plan is one of them. Most importantly, no matter what rating a
health insurance plan receives, Californians can still get quality health
care by becoming proactively involved with their health insurance plan or
doctor. For a free guide, How to Use Your Health Plan, and other
materials, visit opa.ca.gov."

The Office of the Patient Advocate's Health Care Quality Report Card can
be found by visiting www.opa.ca.gov. It rates California's largest health
insurance plans and doctors' medical groups each year based on national
standards and member ratings. Consumers can also learn how health
insurance plans and doctors' medical groups perform in treating common
health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, mental health, and more.

Since 2000, the Office of the Patient Advocate has worked independently in
state government to provide information about consumer rights and
responsibilities as health insurance plan members. By releasing data on
the performance of the largest health insurance plans in the state, the
Office of the Patient Advocate stimulates competition in a way that
increases the quality and value of health care services for all
Californians. These are tools to help consumers get the most out of their
health care.

To see how health insurance plans and doctors' medical groups rate, visit
www.HealthCareQuality.ca.gov. To learn more about getting the most out of
your health care, or to download health worksheets and other health
care-related tools, visit www.opa.ca.gov.

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