Consumer Reports took a look at health care plans around the country and found in Maryland that the best among the private insurers was Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan, which is used by members of the military, retirees and their families.
Nationally, the program ranked 23rd among private HMOs. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States was next (33rd nationally), followed by Cigna HealthCare Mid-Atlantic (79th nationally), Employer Health Programs (106th nationally) and Aetna Health (131th nationally).
CareFirst BlueChoice was 7th in the state (194th nationally) and United Healthcare of the Mid-Atlantic was 9th (225th nationally).
Consumer Reports analyzed 830 health plans ranked by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, an independent non-profit group. Included were 540 HMOs, 285 PPOs, Medicare and Medicaid plans and plans for employers and individuals. All told, they serve 127 million Americans.
The rankings considered consumer satisfaction, treatment and prevention.
Among Medicare plans in Maryland, the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States was ranked at the top (17th nationally) and among Medicaid HMO plans, Priority Partners HMO was ranked at the top.
To see the list and get more information, go to http://www.consumerreports.org/health/insurance/private-hmo-1.htm.
