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| From February 2000 NASW NEWS Copyright ©2000, National Association of Social Workers, Inc. |
UnitedHealth Group's November announcement allowing physicians the final say on medical decisions could set the tone industry-wide, says an NASW policy expert.
UnitedHealth reportedly said it expected others to follow suit in its decision to end the practice of second-guessing doctors — a practice that has drawn significant criticism from managed care's opponents and has led to proposed patients' rights legislation and a push to allow lawsuits against managed care companies. Some states already have laws that allow patients to sue managed care firms for neglectful practices.
Aetna, Inc., and Humana, Inc., were taken to court in October for allegedly misrepresenting the quality of their care.
The industry, according to reports, is responding to falling stock prices and consumer distrust, forcing managed care companies to rethink policies.
UnitedHealth's action applies only to decisions by physicians, but it may have "interesting" ramifications for behavioral health care providers, said Nancy Bateman, senior staff associate for mental health care policy at NASW.
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Copyright NASW Press, 1998 |
