A great family doctor can make all of the difference for a family or individual, helping to ensure that they receive fair and balanced care with a dose of good common sense. For many patients, the process of seeking out a good doctor can be long and difficult and will in many cases come with the information that a particular doctor is a member of a HMO, PPO or other health plan and that a patient can only see them if they are a member of that plan as well. This can be frustrating for many individuals, as the plan the doctor is a member of may not suit their needs, and often patients will question the need for a doctor to be a part of a health network. From a doctor's perspective, being part of a network offers a number of benefits, several of which will also be of use to patients and their families, and which will have an impact on overall health insurance quotes.

Doctors in the United States do not make as much money as many non-medical professionals think - especially general practitioners in small or rural communities. While it is possible for a doctor to operate semi or wholly independently, they will often give up a measure of stability to do so. Doctors operating without a plan to back them up can end up in situations where treatments and services are not paid for if patients cannot afford to pay, and the intrinsic empathy of many medical professionals can lead them to offer services at a discount or for free, seriously impacting their ability to do business. In addition, not having a plan membership may limit the amount of assistance that a doctor can receive in terms of training and technology, further impacting their ability to care for patients.

Health insurance quotes are in large part determined by what type of plan a doctor belongs to, and consumers should understand the benefits this represents, both for them and for their medical professional. For a doctor, belonging to an HMO or PPO health network means that they will always be paid for their services and that extra services will have a schedule of fees that will make it simple for them to bill the health network directly. For patients, being a member of plan not only limits the amount that must be paid to the doctor directly, but also gives them access to a better level of care and service. Many plans will feature specialized facilities or the ability to access specialists without the need for a referral, helping to lower patient costs and streamline patient care.