Is HMO care better than other medical care? What are some HMOs that will provide good service?

According to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Americans could avoid more than 22 million sick days each year if all HMOs adopted "best practices' approach to health care. Below are listed the top 15 NCQA - accredited HMOs (listed alphabetically):

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Connecticut

Anthem Health Plans of Maine

Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire

Capital Group Health Services of Florida

Excellus Health Plan

Fallon Community Health Plan

Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England

HealthAmerica Pennsylvania

Kaiser Permanente, Colorado

Physicians Plus Insurance Corp.

Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc.

Touchpoint Health Plan

Tufts Health Plan

Even though consumers often believe that HMOs won't let consumers have the freedom of choosing their doctors, which is probably right, that doesn't mean that they are bad plans. As a matter of fact, HMOs are often cheaper than other medical plans and will help save its consumers a certain amount of money.

Nevertheless, just because HMOs are considered to save money, that doesn't mean that, it is the right plan for everyone. Many people seek more than just economy when it comes to health insurance. Many people want to have the freedom of switching doctors, and having other advantages. Even though it is going to cost them more, they can always shop around and look for a better deal.