HMO RULES Q:
What does HMO stand for? A: This is actually a variation of the phrase, “Hey, Moe!” Its roots go back to the concept pioneered by Dr. Moe Howard, who discovered that a patient could be made to forget about the pain in his foot if he was poked hard enough in the eyes. Modern practice replaces the finger poke with hi-tech equivalents such as voice mail and referral slips, but the result remains the same. Q: Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification? A: No. Only those you need. Q: I just joined a new HMO. How difficult will it be to choose the doctor I want? A: Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer will provide you with a book listing all the doctors who were participating in the plan at the time the information was gathered. These doctors will fall into two basic categories: those who are no longer accepting new patients and those who will see…
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