One in 10 California physician groups that capitate directly with HMOs are expected to close this year, according to a report from the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Senior citizens who left traditional Medicare and joined an HMO to save money and gain benefits are in for a shock: Premiums, doctor visits and even hospital stays will cost more next year. The changes are the first round of significant benefit cutbacks by Medicare HMO insurers, many of whom say they were forced to