| A PPO or Preferred Provider Organization is a | | | | physician or local doctor sounds nice it does |
| segment of health insurance that can be provided | | | | usually mean that a higher out-of-pocket cost will |
| by an accredited health insurance company or | | | | be incurred by the individual consumer, although a |
| provider. If you're already familiar with an HMO or | | | | referral isn't normally needed to see a medical |
| Health maintenance Organization then you have a | | | | specialist. |
| good start in regards to what a Preferred | | | | As you can expect HMO's are usually much |
| Provider Organization actually is and can provide | | | | cheaper due to the restrictions they place on who |
| to a consumer seeking health insurance. The | | | | an insured patient can see and how they go |
| reason for this is because the Preferred Provider | | | | about obtaining a referral to a health specialist for |
| Organization is very similar to an HMO based on | | | | additional medical treatment. The PPO does offer |
| the fact that they have contractual agreements | | | | more control over the providing of an individual's |
| with many of the health insurance companies. The | | | | health care needs so in this instance your health |
| biggest difference is based on the fact that the | | | | as opposed to money may be the final |
| Preferred Provider Organization doesn't have as | | | | determining factor in regards to which health care |
| many limitations or restrictions when compared to | | | | plan you choose to apply for. |
| the traditional HMO. Generally speaking this favors | | | | The Preferred Provider Organization's main goal |
| the consumer or individual seeking health insurance | | | | has been to provider health insurance coverage to |
| coverage through a provider's health plan. | | | | large groups at a lower then normal rate or |
| The advantage that a Preferred Provider | | | | premium. They have been extremely successful |
| Organization offers its clients is the ability for | | | | at this endeavor by providing better information |
| them to freely choose their own health care | | | | to the PPO network of doctors and by providing |
| doctor or physician. This is particularly beneficial | | | | cheaper rates for medical insurance. In fact they |
| for an older person that has seen a regular | | | | were so successful that the PPO was the main |
| doctor for many years. Naturally a bond of | | | | driving force behind a dramatic drop in medical |
| familiarity and trust builds up between a doctor | | | | expenses throughout the last decade. |
| and long time patient allowing for a comfortable | | | | Based on the complex nature of the current |
| feeling to take place during a routine medical | | | | health care system any plan, such as the |
| appointment. The PPO allows this professional | | | | Preferred Provider Organization, is a welcome sign |
| relationship to continue to exist ensuring better | | | | of relief for many consumers needing and wanting |
| medical treatment. However, while the | | | | adequate health insurance coverage at a very |
| opportunity to seek medical care from the family | | | | reasonable and affordable price. |