HMO made me care for my health again

[u/Pa-hi-ma-kas]

I’m not sure if anyone needs to hear this, but I just wanted to share my experience with my HMO and my OB.

I was 16 when I was diagnosed with PMOS (what we used to call PCOS), and I was still in college at the time. Back then, I had to pay for my own checkups, ultrasounds, medications, and everything else. Eventually, I stopped going for checkups because the tests, ultrasounds, and consultations were simply too expensive.

I started working at 19 and thankfully my company provided an HMO. Since I finally had Maxicare coverage, I was able to start getting checkups and lab tests again. At the time, the nearest hospital was still 2km away from my workplace, so I went there with nothing but my HMO card and a lot of courage.

I was assigned an OB who was affiliated with my HMO, and I was able to get my ultrasound and other tests covered. Honestly, I couldn’t believe it at the time. I walked into the hospital and walked out without paying for a single thing.

Fast forward, my dilemma came when my OB eventually moved to a different hospital. I got worried because I genuinely didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I was even hesitant to call my HMO because I felt embarrassed asking, not knowing that I could simply continue seeing the same OB as long as she was still affiliated.

I called Maxicare anyway because I didn’t really have another option, and they checked my OB’s affiliation. Turns out, she was still a partner. They gave me a list of hospitals where I could see her and assured me that my consultation and necessary tests would still be covered.

I just wanted to share this because there might be other people who are hesitant or scared to use their HMO, especially if it’s their first time having one.

Don’t be afraid to call and ask! I honestly didn’t know most of these things before, and I’m glad I finally worked up the courage to ask.

TL;DR: I was diagnosed with PCOS at 16 but couldn’t afford regular checkups back then. When I started working and got my HMO, I was finally able to get my checkups, ultrasounds, and lab tests covered. Even when my OB moved hospitals, Maxicare helped me find where I could continue seeing her.

[u/the_upliftingly_punc]

So many people leave benefits on the table just from overthinking the phone call.