HMOs Told to Release Records on Denial of Medications

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The Health Maintenance Organizations running Connecticut’s Medicaid program must release records showing how often they deny prescription medications, the state’s Freedom of Information Commission ruled in upholding an earlier decision that the HMO’s are performing a government function and are subject to open government laws. “These records are necessary to evaluate whether changes are required to the laws, contracts, and procedures governing distribution of Medicaid services to more than 300,000 of Connecticut’s neediest residents,” Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who had intervened in the case, said. (4/14/06)