Some Medicare Advantage Plans offered require the use of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). The advantage of a HMO is usually lower cost.
A HMO Medicare Advantage Plan requires you to use their network of doctors and hospitals except in an emergency when you are out of the network area. You will most likely have to choose a primary care doctor and also will usually need a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.
Most HMO Medicare Advantage Plans also cover prescription drugs, and have a network of approved pharmacies (many have their own mail order pharmacy also).
Before selecting a Medicare Advantage HMO Plan be sure to examine their network of doctors and hospitals to make sure you are happy with what they offer. Also if you spend a lot of time outside of your home area (the HMO's network area) you might not want to consider this type plan because of the requirement that you use their network of doctors and hospitals, which means you wouldn't be covered outside of your home area except in emergency cases.
A HMO Medicare Advantage Plan requires you to use their network of doctors and hospitals except in an emergency when you are out of the network area. You will most likely have to choose a primary care doctor and also will usually need a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.
Most HMO Medicare Advantage Plans also cover prescription drugs, and have a network of approved pharmacies (many have their own mail order pharmacy also).
Before selecting a Medicare Advantage HMO Plan be sure to examine their network of doctors and hospitals to make sure you are happy with what they offer. Also if you spend a lot of time outside of your home area (the HMO's network area) you might not want to consider this type plan because of the requirement that you use their network of doctors and hospitals, which means you wouldn't be covered outside of your home area except in emergency cases.