News Release

New Jersey Department of
Banking and Insurance

Commissioner Steven M. Goldman

For Immediate Release:
November 7, 2008

For Further Information:
Ed Rogan or Marshall McKnight (609) 292-5064

DOBI Releases Annual HMO Performance Report
Clinical and customer satisfaction measures show health care industry is stable

TRENTON – The Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) has issued the 12th annual HMO report card. This is the third prepared by DOBI. The Department of Health and Senior Services prepared the report card prior to the transfer of the Office of Managed Care to DOBI in October 2005. The majority of New Jersey’s health maintenance organizations (HMOs) showed slight improvement or remained about the same in performance and customer satisfaction.

According to the 2008 New Jersey HMO Performance Report: Compare Your Choices, the range of change over last year was between a one percent decrease and a five percent improvement in all 12 clinical performance areas. In seven of 12 clinical measures there was improvement of between one and five percent. Half the clinical performance areas reflected an increase or decrease of one percent which could be the result of rounding and not necessarily represent a meaningful change in HMO performance.

“New Jersey’s health maintenance organizations have performed consistently, reflecting a stable, high quality market,” said DOBI Commissioner Steven M. Goldman. “Once again, this report demonstrates that New Jersey is a leader in providing comprehensive, strong consumer and patient protections. A key principle in maintaining these protections is providing information, such as this report, so that consumers can be savvy shoppers and find healthcare coverage best suited to them.”

The state’s six commercial HMOs with at least 2,000 members are included in the report. In addition to comparing plans in 12 measures of preventive care and treatment, the report includes eight areas of customer satisfaction.

The HMO report is available on the web at: www.state.nj.us/dobi/lifehealthactuarial/hmo2008/