Classical Ombuds May Have Role in Health Care Reform

OO blogger Clayton Gilman points out that the healthcare reform framework proposed by Senator Max Baucus (of the “Gang of Six”) includes a role for Ombuds.

In 2010, states would be required to establish an ombudsman office to act as a consumer advocate for those with private coverage in the individual and small group markets. Policyholders whose health insurers have rejected claims and who have exhausted internal appeals would be able to access the ombudsman office for assistance.

Gilman thinks this may mean an expansion of the federally funded National Long Term Care Ombudsman Program administered by the states. (Organizational Ombudsman Blog.)