Question

What is a strength of Open-Panel Model HMO?

Answer 1

A HMO (health maintenance organization) is an entity that provides various medical care services and medical insurance to subscribers for a yearly subscription fee.

Open-Panel Model HMO:
An open panel HMO is an organization which primarily allows doctors to operate under the HMO plan through an entity called an independent practice association. As opposed to a closed or traditional HMO where the doctors or primary care providers are directly under contract with the HMO itself.

Strengths of an Open-Panel Model:

This type of an arrangement provides both the physicians and patients with more flexibility as explained below

• Earlier the patient could only choose from those doctors and hospitals directly under contract with their HMO, but in the Open Model patients could pay a prepaid fee and choose from a wider variety of doctors and health care centers to be their primary care provider.
• Doctors need not be directly contracted to an HMO to see their patients, they could just contact with an independent practice association which communicates with the HMO
• This meant that doctors could treat both HMO and non HMO patients, something a doctor in a closed HMO wouldn't be able to do.
• The doctor also reserves the right to not treat an HMO patient, if the doctor feels necessary without fear of repercussions from HMO policy.