[dbussone]

Originally Posted by gerryann

They do have a medicare advantage plan. But I thought it was an hmo.

Advantage plans are more like traditional insurance, and typically are fee for service based. One of the ways an advantage plan saves money is by restricting your choice of docs and facilities. HMOs are much more inclusive in terms of what they cover, but they are very restrictive in terms of the physicians and facilities you can use. Typically a primary care doc holds the referral reigns, determining whether you need to see a specialist or not. Except for super sub specialists, docs and facilities are almost always paid for on a PPPM basis.