In a direct contract model HMO, contracted health care services are provided by whom?

In a direct contract model Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), contracted health care services are primarily provided by individual physicians in the community. This model emphasizes a direct relationship between the HMO and community practitioners, which allows for more flexibility in care delivery and ensures that patients can access a range of services from local providers.

The direct contract approach typically means that the HMO contracts directly with these individual physicians or small groups rather than relying solely on employed or multispecialty group settings. This can enhance access to care for members, as they can choose from a variety of local practitioners, fostering a patient-centered model while keeping costs manageable for the HMO.

While other models may involve employed physicians or larger multispecialty groups, the emphasis here is on the individual practitioners who serve as frontline providers within the community, creating a more personalized approach to health care.