Southland

Dealing With Health Plans: Beginning this week, doctors throughout California will get a primer in how to assist patients who have problems with their health plans. The California Medical Assn. and Citizens for the Right to Know, a consumer group, have launched an effort to inform the public about new laws related to health care, how to file a grievance against their health maintenance organization, and how to reach a state-run, toll-free hotline for HMO complaints ([800] 400-0815). The CMA, the state’s largest physicians group and a frequent critic of the HMO industry, said its February issue of California Physician magazine will include several articles designed to help doctors work with patients. “As patient advocates, physicians have an obligation to help their patients with problems they have with their health plan,” said Jack Lewin, the CMA’s chief executive.