
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 25, 1995                   TAG: 9510250082
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium

HMO RATING HIGHEST AMONG HEALTHIEST

Members of health maintenance organizations are generally satisfied with their medical treatment but many still don't believe the HMOs care enough about their well-being, a survey released Tuesday shows.

The survey of 10,000 HMO members in five regions was released by CareData Reports Inc., a New York-based health care information company.

More than 80 percent praised the HMOs for their treatment of conditions including pregnancy, high blood pressure and asthma, but only about half said they were satisfied with the HMO's concern for their well-being.

The toughest critics were usually the ones who used the HMOs the most because they were the sickest, said CareData president Tod Cooperman. ``We've seen situations where the care can be lousy, but the general population is generally satisfied with HMOs.''

The survey was based on questionnaires filled out by 10,272 employees of 81 regional and national companies in Southern California, Connecticut, the Cleveland area, Houston and New Jersey. It evaluated 33 HMOs on 97 different questions, including adequacy of medical care and satisfaction with doctors, hospitals and administrative services.

Although results varied significantly among the health plans, CareData released only broad averages covering all the plans.

The study showed few differences in opinions based on members' age, sex, education or income level. The only big difference came in those who were sickest; they generally had a lower opinion.

``That's nothing new. It's a finding we've seen in hospitals forever. Sicker patients are less satisfied and more demanding of the system,'' Cooperman said.

Reports are rising that some HMOs routinely deny necessary tests and hospitalization; give doctors strong financial incentives to under-treat patients; and sometimes require doctors with minimal experience to perform complicated procedures or surgeries.

Critics contend HMOs are too concerned with generating profits for their shareholders, sometimes causing serious medical complications or death.

Several states have either passed or are considering legislation demanding minimal care coverage. For example, laws are being passed or considered to mandate at least 48 hours in the hospital after a vaginal childbirth, compared with the 24 hours covered by some HMOs.

by CNB