We can't tell you which plan to choose, but we can tell you some of the advantages and disadvantages of each. Also at the bottom of this page are data from the state's annual HMO report card, showing how our plans performed on clinical measures (such as childhood immunization rate) and on a survey of consumer satisfaction. (There are no report card data for Aetna Managed Choice because it is not technically an HMO.)
Whatever the report card shows, the most important factor for you may be which plan your doctor or doctors are in.  There has been a lot of shifting around in doctor-HMO contracts lately, so before you sign on for another year, you might want to check with your doctors to find out which plans they'll be in for next year.

Aetna Managed Choice: While the other three plans are HMOs,  Aetna Managed Choice is a so-called "point of service" plan.  It functions like an HMO in most ways, but also offers some benefit if you use an out-of-network doctor or hospital.  It gives you more flexibility than the other Sun plans, because you can get benefits for seeing any doctor, not just those in the Aetna network.  On the other hand, it's the most expensive.  Weekly premiums are a couple of dollars a week higher than in the other plans.  When you do go to an out-of-network doctor, you have to pay a lot out of pocket.
 

 Kaiser Permanente: This is a so-called group model HMO, meaning most of the care is provided by doctors who work full time in Kaiser centers.  This can result in care that's better coordinated and simpler, because all of your doctors are in one place.  It's also the least expensive.  On the other hand, it offers the least choice of providers; if you want to go to a non-Kaiser specialist, for example, it won't be covered.  And if you don't live near a Kaiser center, this is probably not a good option for you. FreeState: FreeState is an HMO with many participating community doctors.  FreeState has been renegotiating many of its doctor and hospital contracts, so you might want to check to make sure your doctor(s) will continue to participate.
n Aetna HMO: This is not the same as Aetna Managed Choice.  It's an HMO; it costs less, but does not cover out-of-network care.  Aetna HMO is similar to FreeState in that they are HMOs with many participating doctors.

- Bill Salganik, unit chair

How the plans compare 
Data from the state HMO report card 

                                     Aetna   HMO FreeState   Kaiser

Accredited?                          no      yes             yes

Access and Service 
Overall consumer satisfaction 
Getting care quickly 
Proportion of members seen by doc            +               +
Customer service rating                                      +
Helpful coverage information                                 +
Helpful info for choosing doctor 
Few consumer complaints               --                     +

Staying healthy 
Childhood immunization rate                  +*              +*
Adolescent immunization rate          --                     +*
Well-child visits, infants/children   -- 
Well-child visits, adolescents                               +
Prenatal care for pregnant women                             +*
Check-ups for new moms                                       +*
Screening for breast cancer           --                     +*
Screening for cervical cancer                --              +*

Getting better/living with illness 
Measures of diabetes care: 
     -- blood glucose testing         --     +               +
     -- eye exams                            +               +
     -- lipid profile -- 
Screening for high cholesterol                               +
Beta blockers after heart attack                             +
Controlling high blood pressure              -- 
Appropriate medication for asthma                            --
Managing antidepressants              +      +               +
Follow-up after hospitalization                              +
Rating of health care received 
Getting needed care 

Key: 
    +*  = recognized by state as "star performer" for consistent above-average ratings 
    +   = above state average 
    blank  = around average 
    --  = below state average 

Source: Maryland Health Care Commission, HMO Report Card, September, 2000