About the Maryland Health Care Commission’s New Disclaimer

In April 2002, I strongly urged the Maryland Health Care Commission to include a simple, easy-to-understand disclaimer in their 2002 Consumer Guide to Maryland HMOs & POS Plans (sometimes referred to as the HMO report card).

Part of my suggested disclaimer was adopted verbatim:

“The State of Maryland cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the medical or membership records upon which this information is based.”

This information, entitled “Understanding Quality,” was also relocated from page two of the Guide to the inside of the front cover.

We are all pleased with the result ------- a clear and accurate explanation for consumers, and I thank them for allowing me to contribute to this important work.