Health Maintenance Organizations deliver care directly to the insured. The insured goes directly to an HMO's medical provider to see health care professionals. The insured does not pay for each individual service that is received. A set premium is paid to the HMO, which in return offers a range of services, including preventive care.
A primary care physician (general practitioner, GP, or family doctor), who is affiliated with the insured's plan usually coordinates the care.
In the majority of cases, the HMO will only provide coverage to specialists within the provider network that are referred by the primary care physician. The HMO will nearly always insist that the insured receive care from health care professionals, laboratories and medical centers which are within its network of providers. The HMO will have negotiated a list of fees for each medical service with them. This is done to keep costs at a minimum.
According to the majority of health insurance advisers, HMOs are usually the cheapest kind of health insurance plan.
Copayment - in most cases, the insured will also have to make a copayment for some services. Some HMOs may not require copayments for hospital stays.
A primary care physician (general practitioner, GP, or family doctor), who is affiliated with the insured's plan usually coordinates the care.
In the majority of cases, the HMO will only provide coverage to specialists within the provider network that are referred by the primary care physician. The HMO will nearly always insist that the insured receive care from health care professionals, laboratories and medical centers which are within its network of providers. The HMO will have negotiated a list of fees for each medical service with them. This is done to keep costs at a minimum.
According to the majority of health insurance advisers, HMOs are usually the cheapest kind of health insurance plan.
Copayment - in most cases, the insured will also have to make a copayment for some services. Some HMOs may not require copayments for hospital stays.
