If you receive your Medicare benefits from a Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), you must use your HMO card instead of your Medicare card when you go to the doctor or hospital.

You generally must use the HMO’s network of doctors and hospitals and follow your plans rules.

You generally must choose a primary care doctor who will give you referrals to specialists and oversee your care.

Generally, you will only be covered for care within your HMO’s service area unless you need emergency or urgent care while out of that service area. Call your plan to find out if you are covered for emergency services in a foreign country.

To learn what to do if your Medicare private health plan denies you care, click on the links in the GO TO box.