HMOs often require members to select a primary care physician (PCP), a doctor who acts as a gatekeeper to direct access to medical services but this is not always the case. PCPs are usually internists, pediatricians See more

HMOs operate in a variety of forms. Most HMOs today do not fit neatly into one form; they can have multiple divisions, each operating under a different model, or blend two or more models together. In the staff model, physicians are salaried and have offices in HMO … See more

HMOs often have a negative public image due to their restrictive appearance. HMOs have been the target of lawsuits claiming that the restrictions … See more

Although businesses pursued the HMO model for its alleged cost containment benefits, some research indicates that private HMO plans … See more

Though some forms of group "managed care" did exist prior to the 1970s, in the US they came about chiefly through the influence of President See more

HMOs in the United States are regulated at both the state and federal levels. They are licensed by the states, under a license that is known as a certificate of authority (COA) rather than … See more

• Capitated reimbursement
• Exclusive provider network
• Preferred provider organization
• Publicly funded health care
• Sicko, a Michael Moore documentary criticizing HMOs See more