The state's top HMO regulator said Monday that health plans should be necessary to get outside review before dropping a policyholder, a theatrical step up in oversight that probably would face stiff challenges from the industry.

Cindy Ehnes, director of the Department of Managed Health Care, said she hadn't yet residential details on how such a requirement would work. But she said any outside input possibly by the department or some independent panel could significantly enhance policyholder's safeguard against the loss of coverage. "It is clear to me that we have to have some independent oversight," Ehnes said. Her call for outside appraisal came after a public meeting she called in Los Angeles to hear from consumers, health plans and providers on what her organization could do to limit the controversial practice of insurers to cancel health coverage after policyholders have submitted claims for care.