What role do Provider Service Organizations (PSOs) share with Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)?

Provider Service Organizations (PSOs) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) both engage in risk pooling, which is fundamental to their operations. Risk pooling refers to the practice of combining the health risks of a group of individuals to provide manageable coverage for healthcare expenses. In both PSOs and HMOs, this model allows them to manage costs effectively by spreading the financial risk associated with paying for healthcare services across a larger population.

By pooling risk, these organizations are able to negotiate rates with healthcare providers, offer services at lower costs, and ensure that members receive care within a structured network. This collaborative approach not only promotes cost-effectiveness for both the organization and its members but also helps in planning and predicting healthcare needs.

The other choices do not align with the primary shared function of PSOs and HMOs. While direct patient billing, statutory regulations, and patient financial advising are aspects of healthcare management and patient interaction, they do not represent the essential mechanism of shared financial responsibility through risk pooling that defines both PSOs and HMOs.