Today, MyPatientsRights.org launched in Oregon, an online resource for health care consumers who are denied coverage, experience delays or are dissatisfied with the decisions made by their health plan.
“MyPatientRights.org is a beacon of light in a stormy health care sea,” said Liz Helms, president and CEO of the California Chronic Care Coalition, who launched MyPatientRights.org successfully in 2015. “As health plans are moving to reduce access to new lifesaving medicines, create one-size-fits-all treatment pathways and restrict access to specialists, we must provide consumers with the help and confidence they need to demand the care they deserve.”
This website will help educate consumers about their health care rights and direct them in where to file complaints with their health plan and/or their state’s regulatory agency.
The types of complaints regulators collect include:
- Denials to specialists
- Denials to important procedures
- Barriers to prescription medicines
- Delays receiving tests for chronic diseases
- Medical bills from out-of-network providers
- Balanced billing issues
“Oregon health plans claim they receive very few complaints from patients, yet we know that many consumers do not complain because they do not know how to do so or are intimidated by the process. By ensuring that complaints are registered, we will be able to determine where there are access and affordability issues for Oregon consumers,” said Joan Werblun, RN, board chair of CCCC.
“We believe all Oregonians should have access to the best possible healthcare. MyPatientRights.org is a great resource for people to learn how to better advocate for themselves and their families when facing challenges navigating the healthcare system,” said Tyler TerMeer, Executive Director of Cascade AIDS Project, Oregon’s largest and oldest HIV/AIDS service organization.
“One of the biggest challenges facing patients now in Oregon is the inability to locate specialty providers in their insurance networks. Patients living in rural communities must travel to cities to find specialists, and when they do, the provider may not be contracted with the patient’s insurance. When patients finally do get to see a specialty physician they are often confronted with insurers not covering diagnostic tests and the medications prescribed for them,” said BJ Cavnor, Executive Director of 1-in-4 Chronic Health.
The website includes a list of patient rights and step-by-step instructions on how to file a complaint with a health plan, and/or the state’s regulatory agency. It also includes testimonials from real patients who have experienced lengthy delays or denials. In addition, the website will collect patient stories to provide a true picture of the quality of care provided throughout the state.
The website will only be successful if consumers know it exists. To ensure it reaches those in need, the coalition is asking every patient advocacy organization in the state to add a MyPatientRights.org widget to their website(s) and educate and engage their legislators and other elected officials, medical providers, pharmacies, consumer groups and the media to help spread the word.
Please visit www.MyPatientRights.org for more information.
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About MyPatientRights.org
The California Chronic Care Coalition (CCCC) launched MyPatientRights.org in 2015. The CCCC is a unique alliance of more than 30 leading consumer health organizations and provider groups that engage policy makers, industry leaders, providers and consumers to improve the health of Californians with chronic conditions. We envision a system of care that is accessible, affordable and of a high quality that emphasizes prevention, coordinated care and the patient’s wellness and longevity. http://www.chroniccareca.org/
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Amy Ruddy
Director of Public Affairs, Oregon
Todd Myers Communications, Inc.
503-367-7596
