What is Local Access Plus HMO?

Asked by: Rey Wunsch  |  Last update: December 2, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (25 votes)

Local Access+ HMO Network This Plan uses a specific network of Health Care Providers, called the Local Access+ HMO provider network. Medical Groups, Independent Practice Associations (IPAs), and Physicians in this network are called Participating Providers.

What is the downside to a HMO?

On major disadvantage is that it is difficult to get any specialized care because the members must get a referral first. Any kind of care that is sought that is not a referral or an emergency is not covered.

What does HMO access plus mean?

About the Access+ HMO plan

Blue Shield's Access+ HMO plan is designed to provide both comprehensive coverage and access to one of the largest, quality networks of doctors, specialists and hospitals throughout the state.

What is the difference between HMO and open access HMO?

No primary care physician (PCP) requirement: Unlike traditional HMOs, which require members to choose a PCP who acts as a gatekeeper to specialty care, Open-Access HMOs allow members to seek care from any provider within the network without a referral.

What is the difference between Trio HMO and Access+ HMO?

The Blue Shield Access+ HMO plan offers the full Blue Shield HMO network. You can choose any primary care physician you wish that is in the Blue Shield Access+ HMO network. The Blue Shield Trio HMO offers the same plan benefits, only there is a narrowed provider network.

What is an Open Access Plan in Health Insurance

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What are the 3 basic types of HMO?

There are four types of HMOs: staff model, group model, network model, and independent practice association. HMOs offer excellent services but mostly for in-network options. HMOs are on par with deductibles and copayments compared to other types of insurance.

What is local access HMO?

Local Access+ HMO Network

This Plan uses a specific network of Health Care Providers, called the Local Access+ HMO provider network. Medical Groups, Independent Practice Associations (IPAs), and Physicians in this network are called Participating Providers.

What's the most likely reason a patient's HMO won't pay?

If you have an HMO or EPO, with very few exceptions, your coverage is limited to in-network providers that your health plan has a contract with. Your health insurance won't pay if you use an out-of-network provider.

What does open access plus mean?

Your patients covered by the Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP) plan receive referral-free access to specialists. If these patients choose an out-of-network health care professional, services are covered at a reduced benefit level.

Why is HMO not accepted?

HMO plans might involve more bureaucracy and can limit doctors' ability to practice medicine as they see fit due to stricter guidelines on treatment protocols. So just as with patients, providers who prefer a greater degree of flexibility tend to prefer PPO plans.

What does access plus mean?

Access+ is a program for Access members that combines a curated curriculum, mentors, experts, and a peer community to provide the necessary resources to apply to business school. This program gives members access to low-cost, high-value resources in order to break barriers to graduate management education.

Why is Blue Shield Trio so cheap?

The Trio HMO keeps your costs down because Blue Shield partners with an accountable care organization (ACO). An ACO is a group of providers that coordinate your care to give you better treatment and reduce your costs. With Trio HMO, you have low copays, no deductibles, and almost no claim forms.

What are the five types of health insurance?

Plan Types
  • Choose a Plan and Enroll. ...
  • Fee-For-Service (FFS) plans generally use two approaches. ...
  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) ...
  • HMO Plans Offering a Point of Service (POS) Product. ...
  • Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHP) ...
  • High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)

Why do doctors not like HMO?

HMO plans frequently need primary care physicians to refer patients and have constrained provider networks, which may frustrate some physicians. Yet, HMO plans often have lower consumer out-of-pocket payments, which may appeal to physicians who wish to provide appropriate care.

Why are people against HMO?

HMOs tend to have higher maintenance costs than a standard buy-to-let since many people share them and often have a higher turnover of tenants. Wear and tear can be higher. Some tenant types, such as students, typically involve HMO landlords with more maintenance and repair issues than, say, a family tenant would.

Which of the following is a disadvantage of a HMO?

Final answer: One disadvantage of using an HMO health plan is the limited choice of in-network providers. Additionally, HMO plans may have high premiums and high deductibles.

What is the difference between open access and HMO?

An open access HMO differs from a traditional HMO in that it typically allows employees to see in-network specialists without a referral, but still will not cover out-of-network providers other than emergency care. The gist: Open access HMOs are less expensive but more limiting than a PPO.

Who benefits from open access?

Open access can help your research reach new readers, not just those with easy access to a research library. Publishing OA can help policymakers, non-government agencies, the media, educators, and practitioners put your research into action.

Do open access HMO plans require referrals?

No. You do not need to get a referral to see a specialist in the Aetna Open Access HMO network, unless you live in California. California members covered under this plan must continue to get referrals from their PCP in order to see network specialists.

What is the primary problem with an HMO?

Without a referral, you don't have permission for those services, and the HMO won't pay for them. The benefit of this system is fewer unnecessary services. The drawback is that you have to see multiple providers (a primary care provider before a specialist) and pay copays or other cost-sharing for each visit.

Which health insurance company denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

Why do I still have to pay even though I have insurance?

Health insurance doesn't pay for everything. It usually pays most of the bill, but you will still have to pay some. This is called cost-sharing. The amount that you pay depends on the kind of plan you have.

What is access plus HMO?

Under the Blue Shield of California Access+ HMO plan, you must receive all of your care from the Blue Shield Access+ HMO network of contracted medical groups and hospitals. You select a primary care physician within the Access+ HMO network.

What does local HMO mean?

A type of health insurance plan that usually limits coverage to care from doctors who work for or contract with the HMO. It generally won't cover out-of-network care except in an emergency. An HMO may require you to live or work in its service area to be eligible for coverage.

What is the difference between Blue Shield Trio and Access+?

The Blue Shield Access+ HMO plan offers the full Blue Shield HMO network. You can choose any primary care physician you wish that is in the Blue Shield Access+ HMO network. The Blue Shield Trio HMO offers the same plan benefits, only there is a narrowed provider network.