The nation's third largest health insurer, Aetna, says it will let an independent panel of doctors decide whether to cancel a member's coverage. Health insurance companies have been under fire for terminating policies after people get sick. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
Thousands of Californians have seen their coverage terminated after insurers said members had left out medical information on their application.
Aetna says its customers will have access to an independent review of such decisions.
Jerry Flanagan is with the non-profit Consumer Watchdog. He's suspicious of Aetna's new policy.
Jerry Flanagan: Patients won't be helped under this voluntary announcement, if the standard that the third party is considering, is that innocent patients can be rescinded. Because that's what's happening right now.
Flanagan argues insurers should be allowed to cancel coverage only if a patient intentionally lied on their application. A pending measure would make that the law in California.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
