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HMO or POS?

L

LakerGod

Platinum Member
I'm 24 years old...should i pony-up for the more expensive plan? Do the benefits outweight the costs? Any guidance on this is appreciated.
 
i would. i snowboard in the winter and ride a motorcycle in the summer, along with tons of drinking and boating.

all are good makings for heavy hospital bills.
 
If you're 24, and in good health, get whatever is cheapest. Health insurance is the biggest scam next to car insurance.
 
Originally posted by: bamacre
If you're 24, and in good health, get whatever is cheapest. Health insurance is the biggest scam next to car insurance.
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I like the freedom that a POS plan provides...but it is much more expensive if i plan to act on that freedom.
 
Originally posted by: Xyclone
POS? I thought there was only HMO and PPO?
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No there is also a POS = Point of Service.

With this plan you also have to select a primary physician and you have an HMO option where you can go to your doctor and the doctors in the network. However, if you want to go to a doctor out of your network, you gotta pay a much greater portion than what would be covered under an HMO.
 
Avoid HMO like the plague.

That's all you need to know about health plans.

Take the straight 80/20 plan and able to see whoever and wherever you like.
 
If you have a doctor that you know of and/or have had for a good part of your life, go with PPO. If not, I'd just stick with HMO. It can sometimes be a pain to get in to specialists, as you usually need a referral from your general practitioner. However, assuming you're in good health, and the doctors in your area aren't insanely overworked, that shouldn't be a huge problem.
 
While we're on the topic of health insurance...should i pony-up the 6 bucks a month for vision coverage? I thought that was covered under normal health insurance.
 
Originally posted by: LakerGod
Originally posted by: Xyclone
POS? I thought there was only HMO and PPO?
Click to expand...

No there is also a POS = Point of Service.

With this plan you also have to select a primary physician and you have an HMO option where you can go to your doctor and the doctors in the network. However, if you want to go to a doctor out of your network, you gotta pay a much greater portion than what would be covered under an HMO.
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This is not true you can go to any doctor with an HMO as long as you were refered to them by your physician.
 
HMO < POS < PPO
I just switched from an HMO to a PPO....suddenly i can more doctors faster, get labs done at the clinic instead of having to go somewhere else, dont have to wait for apporval on any number of things. Its great. POS can be difficult to deal with from time to time if you need approval for certain things. I always thought at 24 i wouldn't need anything more than an hmo but then last year i had gallbladder taken out and i was stuck with 1 surgeon that was months wait for the HMO, this year i switched to the PPO, something triggered and ive been having to have test after test done and dealing with the PPO was phenominally easier so far getting into to see any doc i want or can find in town.
 
Originally posted by: notfred
I haven't had any problems with my HMO.
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Me neither, a few years ago I needed a CT scan done and a lump removed from my throat. I didn't have to pay anything for either and was able to get both done with in 2 weeks of my doctor requesting them.

Also both happen at different times and were unreleated.
 
I don't go to the doctor at all but I still have PPO instead of HMO. I'm willing to pay a little more for the fact that if I want to see any doctor I can just go to them. If I had an HMO and I needed to see a specialist I would have to see my HMO doctor and then wait for a referral before going to see that specialist. Haven't seen the doctor in 2 years and I know I'm paying alot more for health insurance but when that day comes that I need to see a specialist I'll be glad I can just go and see them.
 
Originally posted by: pikachu656
I don't go to the doctor at all but I still have PPO instead of HMO. I'm willing to pay a little more for the fact that if I want to see any doctor I can just go to them. If I had an HMO and I needed to see a specialist I would have to see my HMO doctor and then wait for a referral before going to see that specialist. Haven't seen the doctor in 2 years and I know I'm paying alot more for health insurance but when that day comes that I need to see a specialist I'll be glad I can just go and see them.
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Referal, I have HMO I can see any specialist my doctor sends me to, for the majority of specialist no refferal request is required. What is wrong with seeing your primary care doctor first?
 
Originally posted by: DVK916
Originally posted by: pikachu656
I don't go to the doctor at all but I still have PPO instead of HMO. I'm willing to pay a little more for the fact that if I want to see any doctor I can just go to them. If I had an HMO and I needed to see a specialist I would have to see my HMO doctor and then wait for a referral before going to see that specialist. Haven't seen the doctor in 2 years and I know I'm paying alot more for health insurance but when that day comes that I need to see a specialist I'll be glad I can just go and see them.
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Referal, I have HMO I can see any specialist my doctor sends me to, for the majority of specialist no refferal request is required. What is wrong with seeing your primary care doctor first?
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because most times your primary care is not pulling for your best interests.

Speak with any healthcare professional and most if not all agree that HMO = devil.

Sorry or being blunt, just giving some inside information here.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: DVK916
Originally posted by: pikachu656
I don't go to the doctor at all but I still have PPO instead of HMO. I'm willing to pay a little more for the fact that if I want to see any doctor I can just go to them. If I had an HMO and I needed to see a specialist I would have to see my HMO doctor and then wait for a referral before going to see that specialist. Haven't seen the doctor in 2 years and I know I'm paying alot more for health insurance but when that day comes that I need to see a specialist I'll be glad I can just go and see them.
Click to expand...

Referal, I have HMO I can see any specialist my doctor sends me to, for the majority of specialist no refferal request is required. What is wrong with seeing your primary care doctor first?
Click to expand...

because most times your primary care is not pulling for your best interests.

Speak with any healthcare professional and most if not all agree that HMO = devil.
Click to expand...


Well my Primary Care doctor is great. If he thinks I need a test he has me do it right away. I do multiple blood test a year, and if he suspects anything he sends me to a specialist with a follow up with in a few weeks. It is great.
 
Originally posted by: LakerGod
While we're on the topic of health insurance...should i pony-up the 6 bucks a month for vision coverage? I thought that was covered under normal health insurance.
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what exactly do you get under vision coverage? an anuual eye test is usally around $70-80, so take that into account and see what else you get from insurance.
 
HMO = good enough, you won't die and/or get stuck with huge bill. At least that is how I think about my HMO plan my employer gives me.
 
Originally posted by: DVK916



Well my Primary Care doctor is great. If he thinks I need a test he has me do it right away. I do multiple blood test a year, and if he suspects anything he sends me to a specialist with a follow up with in a few weeks. It is great.
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sounds like you have a good doctor then. like mechanics and attorneys they are hard to find.
 
Originally posted by: brtspears2
HMO = good enough, you won't die and/or get stuck with huge bill. At least that is how I think about my HMO plan my employer gives me.
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HMO also means the doc gets paid pretty much the same no matter what he does to you in the office. in other words, it's really to his benefit to get you in and out as quickly as possible.

PPO and POS will often pay for more time spent by doctor.

 
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