How are doctors associated with an HMO paid?
• A: In some HMOs, doctors are salaried and all have offices in an HMO building at one or more locations in your community as part of a prepaid group practice. In others, independent groups of doctors contract with the HMO to take care of patients. These are called individual practice associations (“IPAs”) and are made up of private physicians in private offices who agree to care for HMO members. You select a doctor from a list of participating physicians that make up the IPA network. If you’re thinking of switching into an IPA-type of HMO, ask your doctor if he or she participates in the plan.
