<P> HMOs often require members to select a primary care physician ( PCP ) , a doctor who acts as a `` gatekeeper '' to direct access to medical services but this is not always the case . PCPs are usually internists , pediatricians , family doctors , geriatricians , or general practitioners ( GPs ) . Except in medical emergency situations , patients need a referral from the PCP in order to see a specialist or other doctor , and the gatekeeper can not authorize that referral unless the HMO guidelines deem it necessary . Some HMOs pay gatekeeper PCPs set fees for each defined medical procedure they provide to insured patients ( fee - for - service ) and then capitate specialists ( that is , pay a set fee for each insured person 's care , irrespective of which medical procedures the specialists performs to achieve that care ) , while others use the reverse arrangement . </P>
<P> HMOs often require members to select a primary care physician ( PCP ) , a doctor who acts as a `` gatekeeper '' to direct access to medical services but this is not always the case . PCPs are usually internists , pediatricians , family doctors , geriatricians , or general practitioners ( GPs ) . Except in medical emergency situations , patients need a referral from the PCP in order to see a specialist or other doctor , and the gatekeeper can not authorize that referral unless the HMO guidelines deem it necessary . Some HMOs pay gatekeeper PCPs set fees for each defined medical procedure they provide to insured patients ( fee - for - service ) and then capitate specialists ( that is , pay a set fee for each insured person 's care , irrespective of which medical procedures the specialists performs to achieve that care ) , while others use the reverse arrangement . </P>
who acts as the gatekeeper in a health maintenance organization ( hmo )
who acts as the gatekeeper in a health maintenance organization ( hmo )
doctor
doctor