Should I join an HMO?
Instant Health Insurance Rates
Health Maintenance Organizations are profit driven companies concerned about the
bottom line and stockholders. HMO bureaucrats determine how much care you
should
receive, instead of your doctor.
- Much higher premiums than a Preferred Provider Organizations
(PPOs)
- There are no benefits outside of the network of
doctors.
- Only a doctor in the network can give you a
prescription
- Pre-existing conditions may not be
covered
- Your general
physician can only be changed monthly
- HMOs have less doctors in their
network
- You may not get a referral to a
specialist
- You may not get an appointment
right away
- You can't continue seeing the same doctor if you
change jobs or insurance companies
- You don't know if your (HMO) doctor's
medical
recommendations are being made entirely in your best
interest.
What is the alternative? Get a PPO quote from an indpendent insurance agent. Check our next page on HMOs versus PPOs.
Questions to ask about a health insurance plan:
With health insurance, it's imperative you enroll as soon as possible. Health problems and accidents develop out of nowhere, especially when you don't have coverage! If you are declined by a company because of health issues, only the state high risk fund or temporary health coverage may be available to you.
- Are there many doctors to choose from?
- Which doctors are accepting new patients?
- How hard is it to change doctors?
- How are referrals to specialists handled?
- Is it easy to get an appointment?
- How far in advance must routine visits be scheduled?
- How does the plan handle emergency care?
- What preventive services are provided?
- How convenient to your home and work are the facilities?
- How do you get medical treatment out of town?
- What are the annual premiums?
- What are the copayments for office visits, prescriptions, etc?
- What services are covered?
- Do they pay anything if you use a doctor outside the plan?
- Is there a deductible and coinsurance rate?
- Is there an annual maximum you pay out of pocket?
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