<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> In view of all the HMO bashing here and in the national press, I feel obligated to defend mine which is one of the largest in NH. Like many of you, I can trace my symptoms to 5 years before my official biopsy. Having a problem with gluten-containing products had never occurred to me as a cause for my non-specific medical concerns. I would go to my internist complaining that I just didn't "feel right". He always tried another layer of tests. By the end of the 5 years, its a wonder I didn't glow in the dark with all the x-rays I received. I blamed my anemia on all the blood tests that were done. As a woman starting menopause, it was never suggested that my problems might be dismissed as hormonal. We were both shocked when the final verdict came in. I was immediately referred to the gastroenterologist who did even more tests to confirm. I was even sent for a CAT scan to make sure I didn't have bone density loss from a lack of calcium. I wasn't even concerned about that at all. They were. So, I now realize my huge payments (i'm self-employed) are worth it, not for the insurance, but for the quality of the care I've received and continue to receive. My new husbands insurance wouldn't cover me for 18 months so we've had to carry both, but now I refuse to give my HMO up; his "free" policy would cost me more in the long run. Sorry to be so long, but this has been bothering me for some time. Carollee in NH