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Re: HMO--this stands for Health Maintenance Organization, a managed care way of getting to see a doctor. Many folks are being pressured to join them, rather than see individual docs on a straight fee for service basis. They can be cheaper, but in some cases are more interested in the profit of the HMO than in the welfare of the patient, and refuse to refer to outside specialists. Some pay their docs on a"capitation" basis, which I think means thay get a sort of commission for the number of people they see. Often the doc is forbidden to be up-front with the patient about the rules he has to follow (re: referrals, etc.) You can tell I'm no fan of HMOs in general, but I'm sure there are reputable ones, and others may reply with a different perspective. I'm glad our insurance allows the option of seeing the doc of our choice, not just those employed by an HMO. Camilla Flintermann,CG for Peter,78/7 Oxford,OH