HMOs on the examining table

Northern Colorado trails larger areas in acceptance of managed care, but several factors are changing that

Northern Colorado has jumped at breakneck speed into the HMO revolution.
Health-maintenance organizations, the ultimate in managed care, have targeted Larimer and Weld counties for expansion, hoping to capitalize on a burgeoning population and an increased desire by employers to hold down health-care costs.
“I think there’s definitely a movement of more interest and intent of HMOs to get into the Weld County and Larimer County areas,´ said James Humphrey, executive director of NorthCare, a provider-sponsored preferred provider organization based in Greeley. NorthCare offers care…