Governor Offers Support to HMO Members - California

But, the California Medical Association opposes the ban as physicians might send entire hospital bills to the patients, rather than bill directly to the insurers...BD

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The Schwarzenegger administration announced Wednesday that it's working on plans help HMO members stuck with unexpected emergency room bills.
Governor Schwarzenegger wants to ban doctors and hospitals from billing patients more than their HMOs would pay.
Patients often have to pay out of pocket for emergency room care when doctors don't have contracts with the same HMOs that serve hospitals.
If providers believe they have NOT been paid enough by the managed care plans, they bill patients for the difference.