Below is a list of the most common types of HMO plans we accept. If you do not see your HMO listed, please contact us so that we can work with your insurance company. If you do not have insurance, we will gladly accept cash or checks. If you do not have insurance, we will gladly accept cash or checks. We also accept Medicare and Medi-Cal.

(HMO) Health Maintenance Organizations:

• Physicians Medical Group of San Jose (both insurance and medical)
• San Jose Medical Group (for Bariatric/Weight Loss patients)
• Santa Clara Family Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
• Valley Health Plan
• Blue Cross Medical of California (Medi-Cal)
• Premier Care (Medi-Cal)
• Blue Shield
• NCA
• Caremore
• Care 1st

Please do not hesitate to contact Advanced Surgical Associates for any questions regarding insurance.

Tips on Dealing with your HMO Doctor

• Many HMOs require you to choose a primary care physician. That doctor will be your main contact with the HMO when it comes to medical matters. Make sure you find one with whom you will get along. Sometimes members simply pick a name off a list, or the HMO will assign a primary care physician. Get to know that doctor over a couple of visits. If you like him or her, fine. If you don’t, talk to people who are in the same HMO, or the same medical group, to see if they can recommend a doctor with whom you might work well. See if someone at the HMO or medical group can suggest someone.
• Be respectful of your doctor’s time. Health plan doctors work under time pressure since they have many patients to see and want to give each of them the best care possible.
• When visiting your doctor, always make sure you are ready to use your time wisely. Have your concerns written down. What are your symptoms, what are your worries, what are your expectations? Ask all the questions that are important to you, and be honest and open with your doctor if he or she has questions for you. Don’t be rushed if there’s something that is on your mind that you haven’t gotten to as the appointment time is ending.
• If you think you need to see a specialist, you will have to discuss this with your primary care physician. Most HMOs require the primary care physician to approve appointments with specialists.
• If you are not sure your doctor is right about a diagnosis or course of treatment, especially if it involves a major procedure like surgery, you have the right to see another doctor for a second opinion. In many cases, the HMO will pay for this. A second opinion might confirm what your first doctor said, but in some cases the second doctor sees something the first doctor missed or knows something the first doctor doesn’t.
• If your health plan does not allow you to get a second opinion, ask for an explanation and ask them to put it in writing.
• Once again, be familiar with your plan’s grievance process. If you do not agree with any medical decision, the plan’s grievance process is designed as the first step in resolving the problem.