There is lots of managed care jargon. It is very important to understand all the alphabet soup. Ask lots of questions when things are not clear. Understand the type of plan you have and the role of health professionals in your plan.
Family doctors are the gate-keepers.
They decide how much service you need from a specialist. Understand how your plan works. Plans are controlled by law, type and group size. Know and read your Membership Handbook or Guide. Understand your rights and responsibilities.