In a health maintenance organization (HMO), why is the PCP considered a "gatekeeper"?

In a health maintenance organization (HMO), the primary care physician (PCP) is referred to as a "gatekeeper" because the PCP is responsible for coordinating a patient's care and managing referrals to specialists. This role is crucial in the HMO model, where care is typically organized around a primary care provider who serves as the first point of contact for patients. The PCP assesses the patient's health needs and determines whether a referral to a specialist is necessary, thus regulating access to specialized services and ensuring that patients receive appropriate care.

This approach helps to control healthcare costs and reduces unnecessary specialist visits, promoting preventive care and overall patient management. The PCP's gatekeeping function also contributes to the continuity of care, as they are familiar with the comprehensive health history of their patients and can better coordinate treatments between different providers.

The other options touch on various aspects of healthcare, such as out-of-pocket costs and patient self-referral abilities, but they do not accurately reflect the specific role of the PCP in the coordination of care within an HMO setting.