Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) require members to select a primary care physician. What is this physician's role?

The primary care physician in a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plays a crucial role as the main point of contact for a member's healthcare needs. This physician is responsible for coordinating the member's overall care, which includes managing their health, providing routine check-ups, and ensuring that any necessary referrals to specialists are made.

By requiring members to select a primary care physician, HMOs aim to streamline healthcare delivery, promote preventive care, and ensure that members receive appropriate specialty care when needed. The primary care physician assesses the patient's health situation and determines whether a referral to a specialist is necessary based on the specific medical issue at hand.

This coordinated approach helps to avoid unnecessary tests and treatments, ensuring that care is both effective and efficient. The other options do not accurately represent the primary care physician's role within an HMO. For instance, while they may manage prescribing medications, they do not solely focus on prescriptions or handle claims, nor are they responsible for performing all types of surgeries. Their primary function centers around patient management and facilitating access to specialized care when appropriate.