California PPOs get low marks for service from customers Posted: November 23rd, 2010

For the second year, the California Department of Insurance has issued report cards scoring state PPOs. The scores are based upon national standards of care, as well as member ratings. In all areas, none of the rated plans received excellent marks.

The plans rated in this year's scorecard are:

• Aetna PPO
• Anthem Blue Cross PPO
• Blue Shield of California/Blue Shield Life PPO
• CIGNA HealthCare of California PPO
• Health Net of California PPO
• UnitedHealthcare (California)

In terms of national standards of care, all plans scored either "fair" or "good." Three of the plans that were evaluated, Aetna, CIGNA HealthCare of California and UnitedHealthcare, received three stars overall for delivery quality clinical care.

This year's scorecard also featured grades on consumer satisfaction. Ratings were particularly low for the plan service category. All plans except Aetna were ranked poor. Aetna earned a fair ranking from its members.

In a statement, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poinzer stated, "California PPOs rank in the middle of the pack compared with the national average and show some of the lowest overall scores that California has ever seen. This should be their wake-up call."