jp@faron.UUCP (Jeffrey Picciotto) (12/27/85)
*** MASSAGE THIS LINE WITH YOUR REPLACEMENT *** > A few more reasons people may not use HMOs: > 1. Convience - HMOs aren't necessarily close by. This is true, but only nearby HMO's should be considered. > 2. Selecting a doctor vrs getting whoever is on duty. As far as the HMO I'm with goes, I was asked to choose one of about five doctors to be my regular doctor (with the understanding that if things didn't work out between us I could change). The doctor I chose will be the only doctor I deal with unless I need a specialist (or don't like him). > 3. Why would an established doctor in private practice get involved with an > HMO?? Who is left?? ("New" doctors w/out a reputation or experience > maybe) New isn't necessarily bad. I've been to some 'old' doctors that were less than helpful. Furthermore, the (short) biographies I got on each doctor included information about what schools they attended, what their specialties were, etc. This gave me a better basis for choice than a name in a phone book. > 4. What happens when you are traveling and need a hospital - Will they admit you you with a card from some obscure HMO?? Any emergency care required anywhere is paid for (or reimbursed on presentation of a receipt). If care can reasonably wait until you get home then it should. (Applies, at least, to my HMO). > 5. You use the hospital they choose - also possible not convieniently located. True, but again, the idea is that you choose an HMO near you. Other advantages: - no cost for any check-ups / visits - no cost for prescriptions - in my case a much lower cost that the 'regular' insurance - much more convenient (for me) - comparison of benefits (ie #days in a hospital, mental institution, etc.) seemed to indicate that (my) HMO provided greater coverage. --Jeff ...!linus!d3unix!jp "All lies and jests d3unix!jp@mitre-bedford.arpa Still a man hears what he wants to hear jpicc@mitre-bedford.arpa And disregards the rest"
cindy@ada-uts.UUCP (12/30/85)
In responce to whether or not a hospital will admit one with a card
from an HMO, I am a member of Harvard Community Health Plan in Boston, and
I had an emergency situation in Elsworth, Maine. They accepted my HCHP
card with no problems and gave me the required treatment. They then
billed me, and I then submitted the bill to HCHP.
I also get to pick my own doctor from their staff of qualified
physicians. They found me the specialists I needed for a serious medical
condition, and they paid every cent. I also find it very convienient to
have the lab, x-ray, ob/gyn, internist, and pharmacy in the same building.
After experiencing this HMO, I don't understand why anyone WOULDN'T want
to use an HMO.
NET: {harpo, allegro, bellcore, ihnp4}!inmet!ada-uts!cindy
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