Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

State Releases Findings In Groundbreaking Survey On Impact Of Managed Care As Reported By Connecticut Physicians

88% of CT physicians report medical care worse under managed care

October 23, 2000

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today released a statewide survey of Connecticut licensed and practicing physicians on the impact of managed care on patient care. The survey, one of the first of its kind in the nation, was conducted for the Attorney General by the University of Connecticut's Center for Survey Research.

Among its findings, the survey reported that 88% of Connecticut physicians think that medical care in the United States is worse under managed care than it was under fee-for-service. Additionally, 83% said that managed care has negatively affected the quality of care that their patients receive.

"This landmark survey is a searing indictment of HMOs by Connecticut doctors. If anyone doubts the damage done by managed care, ask the 83% of Connecticut physicians who say the system negatively impacts treatment. Even more startling: nearly one third of all doctors say they know of patients who have died because HMOs have denied or delayed necessary care," said Blumenthal. "HMO gatekeepers are shutting doors on necessary treatment. Drug formularies have been used to deny the most safe and effective medicine. So say nine of ten physicians in this survey."

"This survey should be Exhibit A for anyone questioning the need for Connecticut's lawsuits against HMOs. It is also powerful evidence for a patients' bill of rights" Blumenthal said. "It should be required reading for the HMOs themselves. We name names and give numbers about how the doctors rate the insurers."

Also reported in the Connecticut Physicians Survey:

Doctors identified the procedure approval process (92%) and prescription drug formularies (89%) as the two aspects of managed care that most interfere with their ability to provide medical care to patients.

More than a quarter of respondents (28%) agreed that they are personally aware of cases in which a patient died as a direct result of their insurer significantly altering the care a doctor felt was medically necessary.

A quarter (26%) of physicians were personally aware of cases in which a patient died as a direct result of their insurer refusing to approve care the doctor believed was medically necessary.

Nearly one-third (29%) were personally aware of cases in which a patient died as a direct result of their insurer delaying care that their doctor believed was medically necessary.

Both formulary (85%) and the procedure approval process (84%) were also mentioned by a substantial majority of doctors as aspects of managed care that result in a compromise of patient care.

To see a copy of the survey click here Connecticut Physicians Survey.