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From: jp@faron.UUCP (Jeffrey Picciotto)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: HMO's
Message-ID: <420@faron.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 27-Dec-85 08:16:28 EST
Article-I.D.: faron.420
Posted: Fri Dec 27 08:16:28 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Dec-85 12:48:48 EST
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Organization: The MITRE Coporation, Bedford, MA
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>  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"