What to look for when choosing an HMO?

Asked by: Prof. Fanny Heathcote DDS  |  Last update: October 29, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (53 votes)

Choosing an HMO
  • Which doctors in the HMO's network are accepting new patients?
  • Is my current doctor on the doctor list?
  • What specialists can I see?
  • Which hospitals belong to the network?
  • Where are the doctors and hospitals located?
  • What will my expenses (premiums and copayments) be?

What are 3 disadvantages of an HMO?

Disadvantages
  • If you need specialized care, you will need a referral from your primary care physician to an in-network provider.
  • Must see in-network providers for care-less flexibility than a PPO plan.

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.

Do doctors prefer HMO or PPO?

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'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.

How To Choose The Best Healthcare Plan (2022!)

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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 would a person choose PPO over an HMO?

A PPO plan provides more flexibility in choosing your health care providers, but it may cost more than an HMO. Key areas to remember: Your maximum copay or coinsurance is less when you stay in network for services.

What is the downside to a PPO plan?

Cons of PPO Plans

Less Coordination: Without a primary care doctor managing your healthcare, there's less oversight, and it can be harder to keep track of your treatments and appointments.

Are HMOs good or bad?

The best health plan is the one that meets your needs. If you like lower costs and think coordinated care makes things easier, an HMO plan might be a good choice. If you want to continue seeing a doctor or specialist that isn't in your employer's HMO network, think about a PPO plan.

What is the most common HMO?

The most common HMO you will see added to infant formula is 2' -fucosyllactose (2'-FL). 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) is made up of the combination: Glucose. Galactose.

Who grants preauthorization for treatments?

Prior authorization—sometimes called preauthorization or precertification—is a health plan cost-control process by which physicians and other health care providers must obtain advance approval from a health plan before a specific service is delivered to the patient to qualify for payment coverage.

Is Kaiser a staff model HMO?

The Kaiser Permanente HMO (HMO (group #101728) is a staff model HMO plan, which means that it owns its own facilities and employs physicians. You must choose a Kaiser doctor as your primary care physician to be your first point of contact, coordinate your care, and make referrals.

Why do people not like HMO plans?

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.

Which of the following is the greatest drawback of the HMO?

Explanation: The greatest disadvantage of the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) model is its restrictions on patient choice, particularly in terms of selecting healthcare providers and accessing certain medical exams, procedures, and medications.

What is a drawback to HMO insurance?

Limited provider options

For you to receive covered care, you must see professionals within this group. This lack of flexibility is a disadvantage of HMO insurance plans because, without easily accessible in-network providers, covered care will also be inaccessible.

Which is better, a HMO or a PPO?

HMO plans typically have lower monthly premiums. You can also expect to pay less out of pocket. PPOs tend to have higher monthly premiums in exchange for the flexibility to use providers both in and out of network without a referral.

What is a disadvantage of choosing Kaiser?

Limited plan types: Kaiser offers mostly HMO plans, so most members must work within Kaiser's network of medical providers. Low member experience ratings: Kaiser's member experience ratings, including customer service and getting needed care, are lower than most major providers.

What are the two most common health insurance plans?

Before choosing a health insurance policy for yourself, your family, or your employees, you must know what types are available. Some popular health insurance policy options are: Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans.

Why do doctors not accept 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.

Should I switch to an HMO?

If your financial situation dictates that cost is most important, you might seriously consider going with an HMO plan. Generally speaking, costs for HMO plans will be less. Premiums tend to be lower, and deductibles will also be lower, or may be absent entirely.

Why do many patients prefer a PPO?

PPO plans give you more choices when picking health care providers than other types of insurance. In a PPO plan, you have a network of “preferred” providers. These include doctors and specialists who can offer care at the lowest out-of-pocket cost, compared to out-of-network providers.

What is the best health insurance company to go with?

Best Health Insurance Companies for 2025
  • Best Overall and Best for Self-Employed: Kaiser Permanente.
  • Best Widely Available Plans: UnitedHealthcare.
  • Best for Low Complaints and Best for Chronic Conditions: Aetna.
  • Most Affordable: Molina Healthcare.