Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is capitation and how might it affect the care I receive from my primary care physician?
A: Capitation is a method of compensating a physician employed by HMOs. The physician receives a flat preset amount per patient per month. The physician receives the same amount whether they see the patient once or many times. All too often this structure results in the rationing of medical care in order to reap higher profits for the physician and the HMO.
