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Managed Care Reform Suggestions

A legislative committee studying managed care made its final recommendations today.

David Freitas has the story from Jefferson City.

One of the main themes of the reforms is more open communication between the doctor, the patient and the health care company.

Representative Tim Harlan...

One of the 33 reforms suggests using a prudent lay person definition for emergency situations.

Another suggestion calls for the elimination of gag clauses that prevent doctors from communicating with their patients about health care options.

The committee notes that many of the reforms it is suggesting are already in place in some of the managed care companies in Missouri.

David Freitas, reporting from the Capital.

Date:November 18, 1996

State Capital Bureau

The more than 2 million Missourians living under managed care could be affected by reforms suggested by a legislative comittee today.

David Freitas has the story from Jefferson City.

Among the suggested reforms is a proposal for patients to have more direct access to specialists.

Other suggestions call for an independent greivance process.

But where legislators like Senator Joe Maxwell say they have the hargest battle is for reform of emergency care...

The committee says emergency care should be what a prudent person thinks it is.

The committee points out that many of the suggested reforms are already a part of some Missouri managed care companies.

Now they say they want to make sure people are getting what they're paying for.

David Freitas, reporting from the Capital.