What is one major characteristic of HMOs?

One major characteristic of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) is their emphasis on preventive care. HMOs are structured to encourage members to engage in regular health check-ups, screenings, and immunizations, aimed at detecting and preventing health issues before they escalate into more serious conditions. By focusing on preventive care, HMOs not only improve health outcomes for their members but also seek to reduce overall healthcare costs. This model incentivizes both patients and providers to adopt healthier lifestyles and practices which ultimately benefits the healthcare system as a whole.

In contrast, the other options mention aspects that do not accurately reflect the core principles of an HMO. For example, flexibility in choosing any provider is more characteristic of Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), which allow patients greater freedom to select out-of-network healthcare providers, often at a higher cost. Additionally, while some may perceive HMOs to have higher out-of-pocket costs for in-network services, they typically feature lower premiums and co-pays for services received through their network. Lastly, the assertion that HMOs provide less comprehensive coverage than traditional insurance does not hold true, as they often cover a wide range of services but do so within a managed framework intended to control costs and encourage preventive care.