Report rates HMO performance.

Byline: Nikki Cobb

Oct. 4--A new report rates HMOs on everything from how quickly phones are answered to treatment for sexually transmitted diseases to follow-up for mental-health care.

The report, issued by the California Office of the Patient Advocate, rates the state's nine largest HMOs on quality of service and patient satisfaction.

For the first time in the history of the annual ranking, it breaks down a number of health issues and ranks the HMOs' performance on each.

"There are two targeted intended audiences," said Ed Mendoza, deputy director of the Office of the Patient Advocate.

"It's for people in health plans or who are …