CA rates health plans on quality

The 11th annual report card released Wednesday by the state Office of the Patient Advocate found California's largest health plans have improved their care for diabetic patients, but many need to do better at treating children with throat infections, testing for lung disease and helping people overcome drug and alcohol addictions. The report card is meant to give consumers an easy-to-use tool to compare the quality of care delivered by the state's nine largest health maintenance organizations, six largest preferred provider organizations and 212 medical groups. Each plan is ranked in categories of care depending on how well it meets national standards or how its members rate it in such areas as ease of getting appointments and customer service.