the Price of Health Insurance from an HMO

Monthly Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage premium for health insurance for an adult (not a child or a senior citizen). The insurance pretty much covers anything, but you would have to read their thick manual to really know the exceptions.

For most people, this suffices as it provides hospitalization coverage with a minimal co-payment ($50)depending on the situation. Also, the usual doctor's office (outpatient) visits are $15 per visit. Pharmacy charges are also very predictable at $12 per prescription filled with up to a month's supply of medicine. As stated earlier, there are exceptions to everything, but for the most part, the costs are predictable. Although the monthly premium is steep, this is about what it costs for this service living in a big city. The only gripe is that unless you are in really bad shape, God forbid, you can't get an appointment less than a month out.

If you are in really bad shape, make sure the person you call at your doctor's office (nowadays, this is a huge call center staffed by hundreds of agents) understands that you are indeed in bad shape. If they still don't budge, they are obligated to transfer you to a triage nurse (who usually is in the call center with them) so the nurse - a medical professional - can make the best judgement. Be careful not to overblow your symptoms because there have been cases where your medical group tells your insurance company that they don't want you as a patient anymore.