11.   Although the handbooks will initially be distributed in just five states, private health plans can sign contracts with the government and can enroll Medicare beneficiaries in other states.

12.   Although the arbitrator could not have a financial interest in the health plan or hospital involved in the procedures, critics said that person could not be truly independent.

13.   Among the most likely bidders would be other major health plans, including large, out-of-state insurance companies interested in expanding into the managed care business in California.

14.   An accreditation group called the National Committee for Quality Assurance has begun reviewing health plans.

15.   Although this is the first lawsuit of its kind, advocacy groups have been pushing to have prescription contraceptives covered in health plans for a number of years.

16.   Among other issues, it has arisen on product liability legislation, antismoking measures and bills to regulate managed-care health plans.

17.   An industry analyst, Peter Boland of Boland Healthcare in Berkeley, said Kaiser is not comparable with other health plans, because its structure is so different.

18.   Among the suggested policy options are requirements that health maintenance organizations keep minimum financial reserves and a state insolvency fund for troubled health plans.

19.   Among them are limiting their patients to doctors and other health providers with whom the health plan has contracted and closely monitoring care to reduce unnecessary treatment.

20.   An Arizona appeals court said ERISA precludes state-law claims only in cases where an employer, not an insurance company, administers the health plan.