A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) is an arrangement
where providers (ie. Hospitals, physicians, surgery centers) contract
with a health plan to provide services at a discounted rate to members,
thus forming the PPO network. Members may use any provider in the
PPO network or go outside the PPO, but have a financial incentive
to use the preferred providers within the PPO network. If flexibility
and choice are important to you, a PPO may be a good choice.
|
Advantages of PPOs
|
Disadvantages of
PPOs
|
| You have more flexibility than you would in an
HMO. |
It's more difficult to predict your out-of-pocket
costs. |
| Your choice of physicians, specialists and hospitals
with no referral required by a primary care/gateway keeper. |
Authorization may be required for some services.
Please check with your health plan for details. |
