How do HMO plans work?
A health maintenance organization (HMO) offers the lowest out-of-pocket expenses but also the least amount of flexibility for patients compared to PPO or indemnity insurance plans. In an HMO, you usually are required to see a primary physician first before you are allowed to see more expensive specialists within the network, even if you are fairly certain of what is ailing you. HMOs exert a lot of control over what doctors you can see and what treatments you can get but they often offer better prices than other types of plans.