The current healthcare system promotes high-quality services in the United States. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 regulates the conditions under which medicine and health care are developing and evolving care delivery models help to define an interdisciplinary team.
Among a variety of existing models, a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan determines the possibilities of a patient to choose a primary care physician in the local network. Compared to other plans, the HMO model is beneficial due to its low costs and appropriate quality. HMO coverage promotes positive patient outcomes due to the presence of a regular primary care physician and the possibility to have consistent contact with a person who is responsible for referrals and patient-focused care.
There are many situations when patients experience health problems and do not understand what to do. As a result, time is spent on unnecessary decisions and concerns about how to choose a setting and a specialist. The HMO model implies a visit to a general physician who examines a patient and decides on a further referral with the necessary specialist. This plan helps people avoid cooperation with healthcare providers who offer low-value services within limited frameworks. Some people consider HMO plans as those restricting their freedoms and possibilities to choose a specialist they need. However, it is important to remember that the current healthcare network is complex, and an effective referral from an expert is the best contributor to positive patient outcomes. Instead of thinking about what happens to them, patients visit a well-known physician who gives recommendations based on medical history, experience, and personal awareness of the patient’s needs.