Encyclopedia Dubuque
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HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION: Difference between revisions
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HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO). The HMO established between [[MEDICAL ASSOCIATES | HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO). The HMO established between [[MEDICAL ASSOCIATES CLINIC PC(THE)]] and the [[JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS]] in July, 1982 was area's first health maintenance organization. (1) | ||
HMOs presented employers with an alternative to health insurance. Participating companies contracted with the clinic and other participating doctors for health care of employees. Costs were contained because doctors were forced to work within pre-determined health care payments. Employees were also encouraged to see their doctor to address concerns before the health of the person declined further. (2) | HMOs presented employers with an alternative to health insurance. Participating companies contracted with the clinic and other participating doctors for health care of employees. Costs were contained because doctors were forced to work within pre-determined health care payments. Employees were also encouraged to see their doctor to address concerns before the health of the person declined further. (2) | ||
Revision as of 20:00, 9 December 2018
HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO). The HMO established between MEDICAL ASSOCIATES CLINIC PC(THE) and the JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS in July, 1982 was area's first health maintenance organization. (1)
HMOs presented employers with an alternative to health insurance. Participating companies contracted with the clinic and other participating doctors for health care of employees. Costs were contained because doctors were forced to work within pre-determined health care payments. Employees were also encouraged to see their doctor to address concerns before the health of the person declined further. (2)
In 2018 employers could from multiple health plans. The tri-state plan included all Medical Associates Clinic providers and locations and most family medicine providers in the area and all hospitals within a 60-mile radius of Dubuque. Other plans included areas of eastern, northern, and southeast Iowa. (3)
Zach Keeling, the organization's chief operating officer, found that the Medical Associates Health Plans were one of just two owned by physicians' groups. The plans were one of just one hundred plans owned by a health system. In 2018 the plans, recently awarded five-star ratings (top possible scores) from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and the National Committee for Quality Assurance Health Ratings, served over 42,000 members. Of these, 15,000 were receiving supplemental care for Medicare, a federally funded program providing coverage primarily for those 65 and older, and younger people with disabilities. Keeling explained that the ratings placed a major emphasis on patient experience. (4)
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Source:
1. Jacobson, Ben, "Top Marks," Telegraph Herald, December 9, 2018, p. 1D
2. Hammil, Roxie. "Dubuque-Area Hospitals, Clinics from Some Victories..." Dubuque, On the Road Again, Telegraph Herald, June 26, 1983
3. Jacobson
4. Ibid.