Gatekeeper

The primary care doctor an HMO routes you through, whose referral you need to see specialists. The traffic cop that keeps HMO costs down.

This is a friendly general explanation, not legal or policy language. Exact coverage depends on your policy, carrier, and state. 🤝

Written and reviewed by the We Insure Things team — licensed independent insurance agents. Last reviewed July 23, 2026. Questions? Ask a licensed agent.