The Kaiser Papers A Public Service Web Site
I
n Copyright Since September 11, 2000
Help for Kaiser Permanente Patients on this public service web site.
Permission is granted to mirror if credit to the source is given and the
material is not offered for sale. The Kaiser Papers is not by Kaiser but is ABOUT Kaiser
ABOUT US| CONTACT | WHY THE KAISERPAPERS | MCRC |
Why the thistle is used as a logo on these web pages. |
 

Originally from the News Desk at Reuters
15 Nov 2002 23:59
Kaiser to pay $1 million to settle Calif. charges

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOS ANGELES, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, the largest not-for-profit U.S. health maintenance organization, on Friday said it will pay $1 million to settle a California state agency's allegations that in 1996 it did not diagnose or treat an ill patient in a timely manner.

The payment ends legal disputes over the fine levied by the California Department of Managed Health Care in 2000 after an investigation of the death, at a Kaiser facility in Oakland, California, of Margaret Utterback from an abdominal aortic aneurysm, said Daniel Zingale, director of the health care agency.

"This is a real demonstration of Kaiser's willingness to move forward and work with the agency," he said.

The fine is the largest the state has ever imposed on a full-service health plan, he said.

Kaiser spokesman Jim Anderson said the HMO "hopes to bring closure to this case" and acknowledges that it had past problems with its grievance procedures.

kaiserpapers.com