New Jersey § 26:2s-19

§ 26:2s-19.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Managed health care, regardless of the form it takes, is now a major vehicle for

the delivery of health care in this nation; and the rapid transition to managed health

care has left consumers confused and concerned about how it affects them and how to

navigate the managed health care system; b. Despite the clear promises of reduced costs, quality service and comprehensive

care made by managed care plans, many consumers are uncertain about how to obtain

appropriate care and inhibited in their efforts to do so. They often lack necessary information about the benefits and referral requirements

of specific plans and have no access to resources which might assist them to obtain

quality care on a timely basis; c. Consumers need help understanding their rights and responsibilities and how to

access care and assert their rights in a complex managed care environment; and d. It is, therefore, in the public interest to establish a program to provide consumers

with the information and assistance they need to access the high-quality, cost-effective

health care available from managed care plans and to promote the rights and interests

of managed care consumers.