California set to become first state to set time limit for doctor appointments
By APTuesday, January 19, 2010
California to set time limit to see doctors
LOS ANGELES — Health care officials say California is set to become the first state to limit the time patients must wait to see a doctor.
The Department of Managed Health Care says it plans to announce Wednesday there will soon be a limit of 10 business days for appointments to see a family practitioner.
The deadline is 15 days to see a specialist and 48 hours for people seeking urgent care.
In addition, doctors’ offices must return telephone calls within 30 minutes.
The time limits apply only to doctors in health maintenance organizations, but officials say it will affect some 21 million Californians.
A 2002 state law mandated timely access to medical care, and the specifics were worked out in years of negotiations with doctors, hospitals, HMOs and consumer groups.
The rules will take effect next year.
