What is a key feature of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)?

One of the defining characteristics of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) is that care is coordinated by a primary care physician (PCP). The primary care physician acts as the central point of contact for patients, providing routine care, referrals to specialists, and coordinating overall treatment plans. This model is designed to streamline care, ensure that patients receive consistent and appropriate treatments, and manage healthcare costs effectively.

In an HMO, patients typically must go through their primary care physician to access other medical services, which contrasts with other plans where patients may have more freedom to choose specialists without a referral. This structured approach helps in managing patient care and maintaining a focus on preventive healthcare, which is central to the HMO model.