Dear Liz: You mentioned that Medicare Advantage Plans have networks that can change from year to year, as well as other disadvantages. This is not true for our Medicare Advantage HMO, according to my experience. The HMO has its own doctors and hospitals, but I have not noticed them pulling any surprises. And they do look after your health much better than the traditional Medicare that some of my friends are on. My friends’ care is entirely in their own hands, and some are getting very old and would benefit from the care that my HMO provides.
Answer: You’ve highlighted one of the key advantages of a Medicare Advantage HMO, which is coordinated care.
There are two main types of Medicare Advantage plans, the all-in-one private insurance alternative to original Medicare. With PPOs — preferred provider organizations — people are generally allowed to see medical providers outside their networks, although those visits will cost more. With HMOs — health maintenance organizations — you’re expected to stay in the network for most care, and you often need a referral to see a specialist. You could pay up to 100% of the cost if you use a doctor or hospital not in the HMO.
In exchange for those restrictions, people get a primary care provider who coordinates all of their care. That’s in contrast to PPOs or original Medicare, where a patient may have many providers who never talk to each other.
Be aware that HMO’s will sometimes cover specialists outside of their network, especially in cases where they don’t have that type of specialist, or for an unusual condition needing a 2nd opinion. It doesn’t hurt to ask! I did that when I knew that I should see an orthopedic oncologist to evaluate my scans recently, and my HMO did not have that specialist. (My HMO’s own radiologists couldn’t see it on the scans.) I found that type of doctor, and then requested a referral and obtained it, and so it was totally covered. I also did that in 2007 when I had a similar condition needing surgery, and I even had surgery in a hospital different from the one that my HMO normally used, all totally covered.
That’s a great tip. Thanks for sharing it!