November 28, 2008, Newsletter Issue #156: Individual Practice Associations

Tip of the Week

An IPA, or individual practice association, is a group of doctors that have contracted with an HMO to provide services to the HMO's enrolled subscribers. If you are part of an HMO that has contracted with an IPA in your community, you either pick or have been assigned a primary care physician from a list of doctors participating in an IPA. You would receive your primary care in this doctor's office. This is different from a prepaid practice group.

With a prepaid practice group, the HMO pays salaried staff physicians to provide health care services in HMO-owned facilities.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.

Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Health Insurance Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Sherril Steele-Carlin