| Understanding your health plan can save you time, | | | | should consider when visiting an out-of-network |
| money and headaches. The two most common | | | | provider is some services may not be covered. |
| plans are the Preferred Provider Organizations | | | | That is why it is important that you call your |
| (PPO), and the Health Maintenance Organizations | | | | health insurance plan before seeking care. |
| (HMO). | | | | The HMO plan is also known as a managed care |
| What is different between the two plans? The | | | | plan. If you are on this plan, you are either |
| PPO plan gives you the option to visit any | | | | assigned or you choose one doctor as your |
| provider in or out of your network. You will get | | | | primary care physician. This doctor will help you |
| the most coverage if you visit an in-network | | | | monitor your health, and refer you to a specialist |
| doctor because your insurance company has a | | | | if needed. For this plan, you cannot see a specialist |
| contractual agreement with these providers to | | | | unless you have a referral. Specialist care without |
| pay them at a rate. This reduces you and your | | | | a referral will not be covered by your insurance |
| health insurance total expenses. If you have | | | | company. In some cases, you will need to wait |
| personal preference and decide to visit an | | | | longer for an appointment as opposed to the PPO |
| out-of-network doctor, you may have a higher | | | | plan, depending on the volume of patients. This is |
| deductible (the amount you must pay before | | | | the way that HMO can limit your choices. |
| coverage can start) as well as out of pocket | | | | Hopefully, the information in this article will help |
| expense (the amount you owe after your | | | | you decide which plan is best for you. |
| insurance paid their portion). Another aspect you | | | | |