I'm still on my company's HMO plan; can't afford the indemity plan as the premiums and co-pays are higher.  However a few of the restrictions for the HMO were eased a bit starting January: no referral needed to a specialist (as long as he's in the Plan); no prior approval needed for drugs not on the formulary, and no treatment plan approval needed for certain conditions.  Of course they raised the co-pay amounts for such things instead of having one standard co-pay across the board, but it's so nice not to have to worry about so much paperwork.

However the mental health end of things is still severely restricted, which is not good.

Kat

"St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> insurance companies should not practise medicine. but they all do especially
those called hmo.

-----Original Message-----
From: Joy Liebeskind [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2002 7:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Yates' case


I read in a local paper an interview with one of her docs who said the
insurance Co told them to szend her home, enough days in hospital..so he did
even thoufgh he didn't think shewas ready.       Joy