Section 62Q.32 Local Ombudsperson
62Q.32 LOCAL OMBUDSPERSON.
County board or community health service agencies may establish an office of ombudsperson to provide a system of consumer advocacy for persons receiving health care services through a health plan company. The ombudsperson's functions may include, but are not limited to:
(a) mediation or advocacy on behalf of a person accessing the complaint and appeal procedures to ensure that necessary medical services are provided by the health plan company; and
(b) investigation of the quality of services provided to a person and determine the extent to which quality assurance mechanisms are needed or any other system change may be needed. The commissioner of health shall make recommendations for funding these functions including the amount of funding needed and a plan for distribution. The commissioner shall submit these recommendations to the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access by January 15, 1996.
History:
1994 c 625 art 7 s 2; 1995 c 234 art 8 s 18