Dentists who work at California HMOs will have to respond promptly to patients' requests for an appointment under new rules put in place this year, according to news reports.
HMOs that include urgent dental care must provide that care within 72 hours of requesting an appointment, and they must provide nonurgent dental services within 36 business days, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The rules for physicians are different. For nonurgent medical care, such as checkups, the HMOs must provide appointments with primary care practitioners in 10 business days, or with specialists in 15 business days.
Patients needing "prompt attention" for a medical matter must be seen within 48 hours of requesting an appointment. If they need urgent care from medical specialists, they must get it within 96 hours.
HMOs are expected to raise their fees in order to comply with the new rules, the New York Times reported.
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