There are several errors of fact and conclusion in your Feb. 12, 2001, article on our research report, "Arbitration in California: Managed Health Care Systems" (page 3).
Based on a thorough and lengthy review of California Department of Managed Care records, we estimate 300 medical arbitration cases are decided in California each year. This firm estimate is based on cases in the department's records and confidential information provided by proprietary arbitration providers. These cases include medical malpractice and denial of service.
A subsequent review by the California Association of Health Plans, reported in your article, appears to include only denial of coverage cases and identifies 50 cases evidently not filed with the department, at least at the time of our review, as required by state law.
Reports are filed only with the department and kept in one of two locations (Los Angeles and Sacramento). Our research team spent six weeks reviewing all cases in both locations to ensure complete and accurate data. We are confident of the accuracy of the data in our report.
Charlene Wear Simmons
Assistant director
California Research Bureau
Sacramento, Calif.
