Posted on: Friday, October 10, 2003

BUSINESS BRIEFS
HMO rated 'excellent' again

Advertiser Staff

Health Plan Hawai'i has retained an "excellent" rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for 2003, the fifth year in a row it has received the rating.

The HMO plan of the Hawai'i Medical Service Association, ranks within the top 25 percent of health plans in the country for clinical quality, access to care and member satisfaction, HMSA said.

Kaiser Permanente carries the same rating. Smaller health plans are not listed with the NCQA. The NCQA is a non-profit group that reports on the quality of managed care plans. Health plans voluntarily seek accreditation.