Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Related

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A patient is upset because her health insurance plan refused to pay for a mammogram and services by a women's health specialist because the primary care physician did not order the referral or the mammogram. Which type of insurance plan adheres to this type of payment system?

  • A. Fee for Service
  • B. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
  • C. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
  • D. Point of Service (POS)
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). In an HMO, services are typically provided by a primary care physician who acts as a gatekeeper for all medical services, including referrals to specialists and diagnostic tests like mammograms. The primary care physician must authorize and order these services for them to be covered by the insurance plan. This system helps control costs and ensures coordinated care.

A: Fee for Service does not require a primary care physician to authorize referrals or services.
C: PPO allows patients to see out-of-network providers without referrals.
D: POS plans offer more flexibility in choosing healthcare providers without requiring a primary care physician's referral.