Access to care in HMOs and traditional insurance plans

Abstract

Evidence suggests that in comparison with
indemnity plan participants, HMO enrollees
have lower hospital admission rates and
shorter hospital lengths-of-stay and use as
many or more physician office visits, fewer
expensive procedures and tests, and less specialty
care. Previous studies also indicate that
HMO enrollees are less satisfied with access
to care but more satisfied with costs than are
persons in indemnity plans. Further, HMO
enrollees are more satisfied with waiting
times for appointments in the doctor’s office
but less satisfied with their ability to get appointments.