What is a POD?
HMOs use a system of pods or groups of physicians, hospitals, specialists, nursing homes, and other providers. If the providers are not part of the same subgroup, referrals that are made from one pod to another cost the first pod more money. To get around this, physicians oftentimes see patients without reimbursement as a favor to an associate. A lot of medicine is currently being done by physicians based upon favors for one another. Just because a physician and a specialist are listed in the physician directory, does not mean that they are in the same pod, and therefore, the individual may still have to select a new primary care physician or a specialist.
