There are various health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that offer different services, but these organizations all have several general things in common. One common factor among HMOs is called the in-network.' This is a pre-set list of doctors and health providers that members are allowed to see. Another common factor is that HMOs require you to have a primary care physician who will be in charge of your total health care. In case you need to see a specialist, your primary care physician will have to give you a referral. HMOs usually don't cover services outside of the 'in-network.' This means you'll have to pay in case you choose to see a doctor who isn't on the pre-set list. You can't go to other doctors without your primary physician's consent. You also need to get your doctors’ visits pre-approved. You won't have to pay a certain amount of money before you can use the benefits of co-paid health care because HMOs don't have any deductibles. As part of an HMO, you're required to pay a monthly flat fee instead, regardless of the medical services you receive in that month. Health maintenance organizations contract with hospitals, specialists, and doctors to pay flat fees for the organizations' members. For hospital stays, prescriptions, and doctor visits, you're only usually required to pay a small co-payment for what your HMO doesn't cover. Before you apply for a health plan, you should first check the provisions of the plans from the HMO choices you have.  Check how the terms of coverage and monthly flat fees are different. - June 17, 2009 @ 8:45 am'