What does enrolling in an HMO plan generally mean for out-of-network services?

Enrolling in a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan typically means that members must use the network of doctors and hospitals that the HMO has contracted with in order to receive benefits. If a member chooses to seek care from out-of-network providers, they will usually have to pay the entire cost of those services themselves. HMO plans are designed to control costs by emphasizing a coordinated approach to care, which includes requiring referrals for specialists and limiting the use of out-of-network resources. Therefore, if you go outside of the network, the usual benefit coverage does not apply, resulting in the member being responsible for the total expense of the out-of-network services. This characteristic distinguishes HMO plans from other types of plans such as PPOs, which offer more flexibility in choosing providers, including out-of-network options, albeit usually at a higher out-of-pocket cost.