What does OPA stand for?

The Health Care Quality Report Card from the State of California's Office of the Patient Advocate ranks HMOs and medical groups that serve nearly 50 percent of Californians.

The ratings are based on a four-star system and are issued by the California Office of the Patient Advocate.

com (916) 446-6723 CAPTION(S): 2 boxes Box: (1) Rating HMOs and medical groups (2) Rating medical groups SOURCE: State Office of the Patient Advocate

The report by the state's Office of the Patient Advocate found that patients tend to be happy with the relationships with their doctor, but are less satisfied with the medical groups' ability to offer timely care.

For the sixth year in a row, Kaiser Permanente received the most stars in the HMO Quality Report from the California Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA).

The study, commissioned by the California Office of the Patient Advocate, illustrates the substantial need for language services in commercial plans, Medi-Cal and Healthy Families.

Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region earned the top rating in the just released 2005 HMO Quality report from the California Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA).

The event kicks off with a public reception to meet acting Corporations Commissioner Strumpfer, California Department of Real Estate Commissioner Jeff Davi, California Commissioner of Financial Institutions Howard Gould, California Department of Managed Health Care Assistant Deputy Director Amy Dobberteen, California Office of the Patient Advocate acting Director Ed Mendoza, and California Department of Consumer Affairs Director Charlene Zettel.