HMO = what is it
 

Since i live in canada and the government takes care of us from cradle to grave, im not too familiar with the US health care system. Can someone explain what an HMO is and why its worse (as i understand it) than just regular insurance.

its usually worse because you have to use a doctor on their lists i think for one reason not just open the yellow pages or go to the doc your friend reccomends

yeah.... HMOs suck balls..... loss of choice.

you still thinkin' of moving to the states Gary?

HMO SUCKS they pick your doctor

pay a little more and get PPO you go where you want

That sucks :helpme

HMO is a managed health care plan -- you pay your insurance, they give you a list of doctors you can see. These doctors have contracts with the insurance companies that pay them regardless of whether or not the patients ever come to see them -- i.e. $15 per patient per year on the insurance company rolls.

The theory behind it is that the doctors and the insurance are taking a gamble that the dollar amount of treatment for all the patients is less, in the doctors' favor, or more, in the insurance companies' favor, than the total amount paid out by the insurance company to the doctors.

With an HMO, you get shitty healthcare, since the doctors aren't making any more from the insurance companies on you if you are sick than if you are healthy.

PPO, another popular managed care option -- is one where the doctors that participate have contracted with the insurance companies to offer them a deal on their services -- i.e. 70% of the stated cost is what the insurance companies pay to the doctors. The docs are guaranteed the payout, and they get it very rapidly, usually within ten days of billing. The insurance company also limits the amount of co-pay that the doctors can bill to the patients as well on this plan.

That about covers it.