Since many plans did not participate, the scores do not reflect the survey results. Like any set of numerical rankings, these are imperfect. And individuals have their own views on what good medical care means. Nevertheless, the rankings have substantial value as a consumer tool. The numbers demonstrate the presence or absence of qualities closely tied to an HMO's quality of care, and the overall score quickly signals the competence of one plan, relative to others.
Employees can also alert benefits managers to the rankings.
Employers in areas with several HMOs need standards to help them decide which plans to offer their workers. With health care, there's no such thing as too much information. Don't assume that it's a subpar performer. Others lack the information-gathering abilities to collect vast quantities of data. And HMOs with minimal competition may feel little pressure to generate numbers if local employers don't ask for them.