Despite three warnings and a multimillion-dollar fine a few years ago, Kaiser Permanente still fails to provide members with appropriate access to mental health care, according to a recent survey of the HMO by the state of California.
The routine survey, released by the state Department of Managed Health Care, found that Kaiser Foundation Health Plan did not provide enrollees with “timely access” to behavioral health treatment, in violation of state law. (Kaiser Health News, which produces California Healthline, is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)
The matter has now been referred back to the state Office of Enforcement for further action, which could include an additional fine.
California’s timely access laws require insurers to provide patients access to a medical appointment within 48 hours for an urgent problem, or within 10 business days for a non-urgent issue. Kaiser patients, however, often have to wait longer, according to the department.
To continue reading this article by Jenny Gold, go to: khn.org/news/kaiser-permanente...alth-access-problems
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