Choosing Care

Choosing the right health plan and personal physician can be a confusing and difficult process. We've put together some advice and resources to help make the decision easier.

Health Plans

Choosing a health plan is an important decision, and also one of the most complicated and confusing. Helpful information can be found at the following web sites:

• CMANet: select the topic How To Compare Health Plans
• AMA:Choosing and Using a Health Plan
• National Committee for Quailty Assurance (NCQA)
  Consumer Information

When reseaching a Health Plan's Credentials, take a look at CMANet's report on the Knox-Keene data. All health plans operating with Knox-Keene licenses - mostly HMOs - must report to the state certain financial information. Check out the Knox-Keene Health Plan Expenditures Summary - see how your health care dollar is being spent.

Health plans also often voluntarily participate in an accreditation procedure. The following two organizations perform accreditations on health plans. The National Committee for Quailty Assurance (NCQA) performs accreditation and monitors performance measurements. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accredits (under voluntary request by the health organization) hospitals, health care networks, long term care facilities and others.

Physicians

Choosing the right personal physician can be difficult and we've compiled some information that should make that decision easier.

Resolving Disputes

Resources for when you have concerns about the care you are receiving.