An acronym for Health Maintenance Organization, HMOs are generally the most affordable health insurance there is. Being a managed care plan you’ll receive health care from a network of distinguished health insurance providers. This means that an HMO covers a plethora of clinics, hospitals, doctors, and other health care professionals.
The most advantageous feature of a HMO is their affordability, featuring low monthly copays as well as premiums for health care. Not to mention most HMOs don’t require you to meet any annual deductibles!
A typical Health Maintenance Organization provides comprehensive health insurance benefits including preventive care, emergency, hospital coverage, as well as specialist care, prescription drugs, and outpatient surgery.
When seeing a doctor for a routine visit you’ll usually be held responsible for a copayment for that visitation. HMO copayments can be as low as $9!!! When making that copayment you won’t have to file a claim, simply show your insurance card, pay the copayment and let the process take care of itself. Many people consider the lack of arduous paperwork another solid benefit of choosing a HMO plan. Do keep in mind that your HMO won’t cover any care received from a health care practitioner that does not participate with your HMO; thankfully most HMO networks have tens of thousands of practitioners, making finding a doctor or hospital with your HMO a breeze.
When using an HMO plan you’re going to have to decide on a Primary Care Physician, also known as a PCP (interesting choice of words right?). This PCP will be the first place that you go to for any typical medical care, if you require the services of a specialist or another physician your PCP will provide you with a referral to another doctor; if you go to another specialist without your PCPs referral your Health Maintenance Organizations WILL NOT cover that care.
HMOs consider the following doctors eligible PCPs:
- Family Doctors
- Pediatricians
- Internists
- OB/GYNs
