Health · Chapter 14 · Managed Care Networks
HMO Structures: Staff · Group · Network · IPA
Definition
Staff (closed panel): physicians are HMO employees in HMO facilities. Group (closed): HMO pays a physician group capitation; the group pays its doctors. Network (closed): like group, but multiple physician groups. IPA (OPEN panel): independent physicians see subscribers part-time in their own offices — the broadest PCP choice.
Exam tip
Closed panel = care inside HMO facilities. Open panel (IPA) = doctors' own offices. IPA = widest choice.
Easy to confuse with
These are what this term gets tested against — if you can't tell them apart cold, drill the contrast.
Related terms