Letter to the Editor

LETTERS: MANAGED-CARE DATA NEEDED

This article comes from our electronic archive and has not been reviewed. It may contain glitches.

To the editor:

As the managed-care market grows, so do questions from Missourians. Presently, many residents do not understand managed care and are confused about how to pick the best plan for themselves and their loved ones. Basically, they need more information to help them make that choice. That's why it's essential Missourians speak up now and tell our governor and legislators what the state needs to do during this legislative session.

As the American Association of Retired Persons' state legislative committee chair, I want to encourage residents to take an active role in asking our representatives to enact legislation to make managed-care information easier to get and use. We can make a difference and influence legislators to make the grade by improving the managed-care score.

AARP is working across the state to educate consumers about managed care, and we want to work with other consumers as well as insurers and providers to help make managed care as consumer friendly as possible. To make this happen, AARP wants the state to establish:

-- A statewide managed-care information system so consumers can understand how plans differ, how they are performing and which ones work best for them.

-- Create a consumer-led Managed Care Information Council to oversee the collection and distribution of plan-specific information along with putting out a consumer guide containing this information.

Missourians need this type of information to make good decisions. So call your state legislators and ask them to make managed care make the grade.

ERMA CUNNINGHAM, Chair

Missouri State Legislative Committee

American Association of Retired Persons

Jefferson City