Managed Care Meeting Opposition

A group representing doctors, pharmacists and other health-care professionals will try to restrict managed-care operations during the next legislative session.

And managed-care groups, just starting to spring up in Idaho, are not pleased.

The Idaho Medical Association, a group that claims roughly 1,000 doctors, has traveled the state talking to lawmakers, pitching its legislative proposal that it says would protect patients’ rights.

“This bill is not anti-managed-care,” said Bob Feehusen, association executive director. “But within managed care, there are some built-in incentives to limit care.”

The incentive to attract companies by offering low monthly premiums and flat fees could inhibit a patient’s opportunity for medical care, he said.

The association’s bill would force managed-care companies to tell potential customers which services and doctors the company will pay for, force a review of a doctor’s recommendations, provide a grievance plan for patients who are denied coverage and make the managed-care company legally responsible for its care decisions.