Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) require you to choose a primary care physician to oversee all medical care.
According to Insurance.com, a health maintenance organization (HMO) is a managed health care system where you choose one primary physician to oversee all of your health care needs. There are many options to consider when choosing an HMO plan.
HMO Network
Health Insurance In-Depth explains that the list of approved doctors, hospitals and facilities within an HMO network generally defines the plan. Before selecting an HMO, you must review and compare lists to make sure they meet your needs. Do the participating hospitals meet your needs? Are the primary care physicians conveniently located near your home or workplace?
Costs
All HMOs require you to pay a monthly premium for coverage. After you pay the premium, most HMOs charge co-pays for services rendered. Co-pays vary based on the plan and the monthly premium. Health Insurance In-Depth mentions that typical co-pays for doctors' office visits range from $5 to $25 and $5 to $10 for prescription medication.
In-Network Care
HMOs generally require you to receive all services from an in-network doctor or hospital. Most plans have allowances for you to receive emergency treatment while traveling, however, if you do extensive traveling or world-wide traveling, be sure to check the limits on coverage of out-of-network care.
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