https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Montserrat:wght@400;500;700&display=swapstylesheettext/css

HMO Myths and Misconceptions

  • Nov 26, 2019
  • By Miles Malferrari

#


Health Maintenance Organizations, commonly referred to as HMO’s, are there to provide basic and supplementary health services to their members and are usually included in a company’s health benefits package. For self-employed entrepreneurs, online freelancers and the like, it’s something that isn’t there by default and a conscious choice to get a health plan is needed to get one. However, judgement is often clouded by many common myths and misconceptions on HMO’s, and we’re here to help you with that.


Myth # 1: HMO’s are hard to use


This is far from the truth. A lot of major HMO’s have their own office in major hospitals and it’s usually a matter of coming up to their desk and letting them know what you need assuming it’s part of your coverage.



Myth # 2: HMO’s only cover your annual checkups


This is a common misconception of what HMO’s actually provide, and it’s why it’s often a good idea to go through the brochure than just take someone else’s word for it. The fact is that HMO’s cover more than just your annual physical, and often include an allocation for consultations with specialists, and some allowance for certain medicines and medical items like syringes and the like. Some HMO’s even have special promos and tie-ins with non-medical services and goods like discounts to clothing lines, health and wellness services, or coupons for certain food chains and leisure. It’s a relief to know that you’re getting more for what you’re paying for, and that your HMO actually does more than just preventative healthcare.


Source: Etiqa Website


Myth # 3: HMO’s don’t cover a lot of clinics, specialists, hospitals, etc.


HMO’s will have a list of hospitals, clinics, specialists they cover and they often cover all major ones in your area. Although it never hurts to check their website or brochure to know how many are in your area, the fact that coverage goes beyond your place of residence means you’re going to be somewhere close to where you’re covered most of the time. On top of this, specialized procedures and treatments that aren’t limited to the place you live are then effectively viable options since travel would more likely be the only thing you really need to worry about.



Myth # 4: You can’t choose your doctor in an HMO Plan


You can, provided they are listed in your plan. To that end, HMO’s often cover a range of doctors from many specialization and include many more in general practice, enough to cover most of your medical needs.


So there you have it, some of the most common HMO myth-conceptions debunked. Misconceptions are easy ways to dismiss the idea of getting an a healthcare plan, especially when they downplay the actual benefits of having one. The notion of having a healthcare plan, especially when you’re currently in good health and in a good place in your life, often seems baffling or even a downright waste of money when you don’t know how much money you can actually save in the long run. It’s important to remember that health organizations are founded with you in mind, and that your peace of mind when it comes to your health is their business.




Related Articles



Best Cafes to Work At
Best Cafes to Work At
Nov 14, 2019
  • BY Miles Malferrari
  • Working remotely is great! But whether you have a nice home office, or workstation tucked away in a secure location, ...
    A Closer Look at ALLCARE’s fruitful Partnership with Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetic
    A Closer Look at ALLCARE’s fruitful Partnership with Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetic
    Mar 15, 2023
  • BY ALLCARE Team
  • ALLCARE partners with Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetics to offer high-quality optical care at discounted rates to ALLCARE ...
    When Remote Work Could Be by the Beach
    When Remote Work Could Be by the Beach
    Aug 05, 2019
  • BY ALLCARE Team
  • Being able to work remotely is one of the biggest perks of being a freelancer. And while going to the beach and bring...
    5 Health Problems You're Actually Not Too Young For
    5 Health Problems You're Actually Not Too Young For
    Oct 26, 2019
  • BY Miles Malferrari
  • An Online Freelancer's Point of View
    An Online Freelancer's Point of View
    Jul 24, 2019
  • BY ALLCARE Team
  • Being an online freelancer, your point of view is always focused on a computer’s screen. And even with all the high t...
    Enjoying the Good Things in Life with Better Dental Health
    Enjoying the Good Things in Life with Better Dental Health
    Aug 05, 2019
  • BY ALLCARE Team
  • Filipinos love to eat. As a matter of fact, we have five time slots for eating. We have breakfast, meryenda in the mo...