New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and state legislative leaders said Monday that they have reached an agreement to adopt as state law a model suggested by his office for physician-ranking programs, reports Dow Jones Newswire.
In a press releasefrom his office, AG Cuomo said that the legislation will codify the Doctor Ranking Model Code which protects consumers and sets a standard for all insurers to meet. The code, based on input from the nation’s leading physician and consumer advocacy groups, “gives New York’s consumers added protections and should encourage all insurers to adopt similar principles of accuracy, transparency, and oversight.”
A total of five insurers have adopted the Attorney General’s doctor ranking model. Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Healthcare, Aetna and United Health Group Inc UNH) have agreed to make changes in their existing physician-ranking programs nationwide based on Cuomo’s model.
CIGNA, Aetna, and Empire’s parent, WellPoint, will also apply the principles of the Attorney General’s doctor ranking model nationwide. HIP Health Plan of New York, MVP Health Care, and Preferred Care have agreed to adopt the model.
The legislation to set standards for physician ranking programs has received the backing from the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the North Shore Physician Organization.