ax health | what is an hmo?
Referred to as health maintenance organizations (HMOs), these plans provide users with access to a wide variety of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare services that are deemed cost-effective. What makes HMOs truly unique is the combination of both cost savings and choice they offer in comparison to other insurance plans. Thanks to its carefully crafted network of medical professionals, members can rest assured knowing their plan has them fully covered at an affordable price point.
An HMO could be the insurance plan of choice for someone who is looking to get the most bang for their buck. With a variety of differing plan structures, it’s easy to be paying for healthcare coverage you don't necessarily need.
With an HMO, you can expect to pay lower monthly premiums than other types of insurance plans due to the agreed-upon payment level. Additionally, they tend to feature reduced copays and coinsurance rates that make them more cost-effective for those who need only basic medical services such as annual checkups or immunizations.
Coverage options from HMOs may also include additional features, such as prescription drugs and dental care. In order to gain access to these services, you may need to choose a plan that includes them.
At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that an HMO plan will typically require you to receive treatment from within their network of doctors and restrict your health coverage to a specific region or team of healthcare providers.
Though your costs may be slighter with this plan, it is important to remember that they do not cover any out-of-network care except in a genuine emergency situation.
When you join an HMO, selecting a primary care physician (PCP) from the sponsored network of local healthcare professionals is necessary. Your PCP will be your go-to person for any medical attention needed and can organize any additional specialist visits if required. This doctor has overall supervision over your health to ensure everything remains in order and up to date.
If you were to need the care of a specialist, you would first see your PCP. Then, if needed, he or she would provide a referral to a specialist within the HMO’s network.
If you suffer from back pain, your primary care physician (PCP) would first examine you and decide whether a specialist is needed for further treatment. If the specialist is in-network, then the insurance will cover most of those services after any copayments or coinsurance have been made and deductibles met. However, if your current doctor does not belong to an HMO network, opting for a Preferred Provider Organization plan could be beneficial for keeping that same doctor without sacrificing coverage.
There are several factors to take into account when choosing whether an HMO plan is the right option for you and your family. Some key things to consider are:
If you are someone who doesn’t need a lot of specialist care or doesn’t mind having your care coordinated through a PCP, you can save money with an HMO plan.
You You deserve a better kind of health insurance company. If you’d like to learn more about AX Health Insurance, please feel free to contact us. Our team would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have and help you get the coverage that is right for you.
