Primary care enrollment levels in staff- and group-model health maintenance organizations: a standard to compare military enrollment with civilian organizations

A literature review was conducted to determine civilian staff- and group-model health maintenance organization (HMO) primary care provider staffing. Civilian staff- and group-model HMOs enroll an average of 1,473 members per primary care physician. When physician extenders are considered, the average enrollment is 1,156 members per primary care provider. Despite the similarities between the staff- and group-model HMO and military medicine, military medical care is significantly different and may decrease the capability for enrollment as a result of mission support, occupational medicine, and other military-unique factors. Comparisons between military and civilian enrollment should be tempered with these considerations.