HMO plans

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A guide to getting the most from your health plan

Life is unpredictable. Your health costs shouldn’t be. From preventive care to copays, get to know the basics of your HMO plan and how to use it.
 

Your plan features include:


 
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No deductibles to keep track of

 
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An out-of-pocket maximum to help limit how much you could spend for care each year


 
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Most preventive care services — like routine physical exams, mammograms, and cholesterol screenings — covered at no cost or at a copay

 
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Copays or coinsurance for other services, including prescriptions


           

           
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Get an idea of what you’ll pay so you can plan ahead and avoid surprises.



           

           
Person managing their health care and billing on smartphone
Learn how to read your bill, understand what you owe, and make a payment.
 

           

           
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Get to know common health care terms related to your HMO plan.
 
 

Health plan basics

How does an HMO plan work?
With a Kaiser Permanente HMO plan, expect predictable costs for care and no deductibles. You’ll know from the start how much your copays or coinsurance are for services and prescriptions.
How much will my visit cost?
The cost of your visit depends on your plan, the care you need, and how much you’ve paid toward your out-of-pocket maximum. Before your visit, you can get a personalized cost estimate to help avoid surprises.
What is my copay or coinsurance?
Your copay or coinsurance depends on many factors, including your plan details, how much you’ve already paid for care, and the type of care you receive. To learn about your plan’s copay or coinsurance details, sign in to your kp.org account.
Do copays and coinsurance count toward my out-of-pocket maximum?
Most copays and coinsurance will count toward your out-of-pocket maximum. To learn more about your copays or coinsurance and track your out-of-pocket maximum, sign in to kp.org.  
I paid when I checked in for my appointment. Why did I get a bill?

If you make a payment at check-in, it might not cover everything you owe. That’s because your care team doesn’t know exactly what you need until they talk with you. You could receive a bill after your visit if:

  • You received additional services, such as lab tests or X-rays
  • What you paid didn’t cover the full cost of your scheduled services

Why did I get a bill after a preventive care visit?
Preventive care — like flu shots, mammograms, and routine physical exams — helps you stay healthy. But when you have symptoms, you may need diagnostic care to help find out the cause. For example, if you came in for a routine checkup and discussed an injury, your doctor might order an X-ray for it. You’d get a bill for the X-ray because it’s diagnostic, not preventive. Visit kp.org/mybenefits to estimate your costs for services.
If I need emergency care while I’m traveling, will it be covered?
Yes. As a Kaiser Permanente member, you’re covered for emergency and urgent care anywhere in the world. You’ll owe a copay or coinsurance. Sign in to kp.org to learn more about your costs and coverage.

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