Or, you may be able to choose between your employer's plan and a plan available to you through your spouse. Realistically, not everyone has the option to choose among plans. If your employer only offers one plan, and you are dissatisfied with the care you have been receiving, make a formal complaint to your HMO requesting better service or easier referrals. If your employer offers a choice, then your next step is to match each plan's benefits with the care, medication, and specialists you and your family will most likely need. If you are currently undergoing treatment, check to see if the new plan would agree to continue the care as is, including medications.
All plans require patients to pay some money when they get care.
For example, drug coverage varies significantly from plan to plan, and this can be a big expense that you will be expected to pay. Most HMOs come with a point-of service option that allows you to go outside their network of doctors. Choice of doctor is for many consumers the most important factor when choosing a health plan. If you have found a doctor that you wish to keep seeing, it may be unwise to sign up for a plan that does not have an agreement with your provider. Otherwise, ask yourself whether the doctors on a particular HMO have offices located conveniently for you, and look to see if the doctors are accepting new patients.