Quote:
Originally Posted by daveT
What's a yearly checkup?
I had a choice between a PPO and an HMO. To do HMO, I had to have a primary physician. I obviously have a PPO because I don't really even know what a primary physician is, much less know why I'd need one.
To make things more confusing, I think I have another insurer for eye and dental... or maybe I don't. My usual dentist is cheap for LA, and I usually go to Lens Crafters for my contacts. They've been telling me to buy glasses for the past 10 years.
It's kinda strange to think I'd have to start going to other places for this stuff.
A primary care physician is just the doctor you would describe as "your doctor" who would generally be the first doctor you would go see for non-emergency things. If you don't have one, then you look at the website of the local clinic in the network, see who's accepting new patients, and then pick one. The HMO model generally wants you going to your doctor first for most everything, and then your doctor makes referrals to other doctors in the system as needed. In exchange, it's cheaper for you. The PPO model gives you the flexibility to see whatever doctor you want, but you pay more for it.