However, each type of health insurance system offers different options for your medical and health services. The health insurance network or service providers associated with your plan can make a difference for you because it may limit which doctors you can visit, or where you can get service. Understanding how HMO, PPO, POS, or EPO plans differ will help you find the right kind of health care, get your medical claims paid, and avoid any surprises.
Types of Managed Health Care Plans
Managed health care plans are health insurance plans that have contracts with health care providers and medical facilities. These contracts allow you to pay a reduced cost for services. The providers and medical facilities are part of a network, and how much your plan covers depends on whether you stay in-network or seek services outside of the network.Managed health care plans have become popular health insurance choices so you can better manage your health care costs.The type of managed plan you have will dictate how you obtain your medical services.The main types of managed health care plans include:
Health maintenance organization (HMO) Preferred provider organization (PPO) Point of service (POS) Exclusive provider organization (EPO)
Before picking one, compare how restrictive or flexible the networks they use are. Each network determines who you can get medical services from and how your medical claims work.With changes in medical care and health care, plan sponsors look for ways to reduce costs for themselves and plan members. The tighter the network of providers, the more cost-efficient the plan. Being familiar with the options may help you find affordable health insurance.There are several different types of health insurance or medical insurance plans. The differences may sometimes seem complicated and overwhelming. You may only focus on basic things like the deductible, coinsurance, or trying to understand the terms of the health insurance policy, but there’s more to it than that.Knowing how your managed plan works will let you know how much flexibility your plan allows for medical services if you need to get medical care. If you are trying to decide whether you will insure yourself through an employer-sponsored health plan, or through a family member’s orpartner’s health insurance plan, these details may help you make the decision. If you find that one plan is better than another, you can consider a health insurance waiver. You can also maximize your use of two plans byfiling a health insurance claim with dual coverage health insurance.
How Managed Health Care Plans Work
Managed health care plans tend to be more cost-effective than traditional fee-for-service (FFS) or indemnity health insurance plansbecause they share the medical costfinancial risks between members, their insurance plans, and members of the managed care network. Employers who sponsor a managed health insurance plan will pay part of the annual premium. Employees pay the additional cost, which is often less. For example, in 2021, the average annual premium for family coverage was $22,221, with the employer paying $16,253 and the employee paying $5,969 per year.Managed health care plans differ from FFS or indemnity plans because membersusually must select a “primary care physician” from the network of doctors provided by the plan sponsor.Being part of a network will provide plan members access to services from network health service providers at set rates reducing the costs of the plan.
Pros and Cons of Managed Health Care Plans
Pros and Cons Explained
When you have a managed health care plan, you have guaranteed access to a network of health care providers. And as long as you visit one of the in-network doctors or specialists, you’ll benefit from reduced rates, compared to if you went out-of-network.When you visit doctors in-network, there’s a billing system that helps make the paperwork and claims process easier. This could speed up the process, too.Physicians and providers also benefit from managed health care plans because they are likely to see more patients who are in the network. That gives them a steady stream of clients and consistent work.However, compared to indemnity or FFS plans, there is less flexibility because you’re required to go to an in-network doctor, or risk paying more (or all of the costs) to see another health care provider. You may also need a referral to visit a specialist.
HMO vs. PPO vs. POS vs. EPO
If you do think you want to sign up for a managed health care insurance plan, it’s important to know how each one compares to the others.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
A health maintenance organization (HMO) provides a way to take care of all employees’ or members’ health care needs with reduced costs by negotiating with specific doctors, hospitals, and clinics. You must use these specific providers in order to access the reduced fees within the medical insurance plan. In an HMO plan, you have the least flexibilitybut will likely have the easiest claims experiences since the network takes care of putting in the claims for you.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
A preferred provider organization (PPO) offers reduced costs if you use the network of physicians and providers. You can go to a provider that is out of network, but you’ll pay more.
Point of Service (POS)
With a point of service plan (POS), you typically pay less when you utilize providers that are in the network. With a POS plan, you are required to get a referral from your primary care physician before seeing a specialist.
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
With an exclusive provider organization (EPO), you can choose from the providers within the network and do not have to work with a primary care physician. However, any service taken outside of the network may not be covered at all.Of all the plans, HMOs tend to be the least expensive for family plan employee contribution, and one of the lowest options for single coverage employee contribution. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation survey, employees paid an annual premium of $5,254 for an HMO plan with family coverage in 2021.The survey did not single out costs for EPOs, but the Kaiser Family Foundation defined EPO and HMO plans as a single HMO plan. EPOs can also be cost-efficient, as long as you stay in-network. If you get the services outside of the EPO network or member hospitals, you could pay the costs entirely out of pocket.And even though they were the most popular plan in 2021, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, PPO plans may be more expensive than other plan types because you’ll pay more out-of-pocket costs, such as a higher monthly premium. The survey found that employees paid an average annual premium of $1,389 for single coverage in 2021.POS plans have the most flexibility, but that also makes them more expensive than HMOs and EPOs. These plans may off the greatest flexibility, but are also likely to be more costly due to the absence of pre-negotiated network member agreements. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that an employees with family coverage in 2021 paid an average annual premium of $7,512 for POS plans.While you can choose a PPO, HMO, POS, EPO, or another type of plan, you’ll also want to consider how much you’ll pay in deductible. A high-deductible health plan (HDHP) could save you money in premium payments. The Kaiser Family Foundation survey found HDHPs were the most affordable in 2021 for family coverage, with average annual premiums costing $5,129.
Which Plan Is Best: HMO, PPO, POS, or EPO?
All managed care plans vary greatly in benefits and out-of-pocket expenses, so it is important to try to find the best policy to fit your circumstances.If you like to have a primary doctor manage your care, you may want to look for an HMO or EPO plan.If you see a lot of specialists, but don’t want to always go through a primary care doctor, then PPO or POS plans might work better for you.Keep in mind that due to the greater flexibility, the PPO or POS plans may have higher out-of-pocket costs, and whenever you go to specialists or receive medical care out of the network, you will likely be paying more.
FAQs
What are the differences between HMO PPO EPO and POS? ›
HMOs will not cover out of network care. With a POS, or point-of-service plan, you also have one PCP who manages your access to other doctors. However, you can visit doctors out of network but it will cost more. With a PPO, or preferred provider organization plan, you don't need a referral to seek additional care.
What is the difference between an EPO and a POS? ›What is the difference between an EPO and POS? POS and EPO plans both don't require provider referrals to see specialists, but here's how they're different: POS plans let you get out-of-network care; EPO plans do not. POS requires that you choose a primary care provider while EPOs don't.
How would you differentiate and EPO and HMO plan? ›What is the Difference Between EPO and HMO? The fundamental distinction between HMO vs. EPO is you must select a primary care physician (PCP) under an HMO to organize your medical treatment and recommend you to specialists. You can consult experts without a referral if you have an EPO.
Which is better an HMO or an HMO-POS? ›Most HMO-POS plans have higher monthly premiums than HMO plans, but lower co-pays for doctor office visits, specialty care visits, inpatient, and outpatient care and more.
Is a PPO or POS better? ›In general, the biggest difference between PPO vs. POS plans is flexibility. A PPO, or Preferred Provider Organization, offers a lot of flexibility to see the doctors you want, at a higher cost. POS, or Point of Service plans , have lower costs, but with fewer choices.
What is better PPO or EPO? ›A PPO offers more flexibility with limited coverage or reimbursement for out-of-network providers. An EPO is more restrictive, with less coverage or reimbursement for out-of-network providers. For budget-friendly members, the cost of an EPO is typically lower than a PPO.
What is the downside of an EPO? ›EPO disadvantages:
You are responsible for the full cost of all other out-of-network services. Other out-of-pocket costs: While EPO premiums may be lower compared to other plan types, your EPO may charge deductibles and coinsurance. HMO and point of service (POS) plans generally do not assess deductibles.
- Limited options for full coverage. EPOs with low premiums may have narrow networks, giving you fewer doctors, specialists, and facilities to choose from.
- You may have to change doctors. Depending on your network, your current doctor or other care providers may not be available to you.
Get help choosing between an Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan.
What is a POS insurance plan? ›A type of plan in which you pay less if you use doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that belong to the plan's network. POS plans also require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.
What does HMO POS mean in health insurance? ›
An HMO POS plan is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan with added Point of Service (POS) benefits. These added benefits give you more flexibility when you need care. Under the HMO benefits of the plan, you have access to certain doctors and hospitals, called your HMO provider network.
What are the 3 differences between HMO and PPO? ›Two popular types you'll frequently see are HMO and PPO. Differences between HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) and PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans include network size, ability to see specialists, costs, and out-of-network coverage.
Why is POS more expensive than PPO? ›POS health insurance plans. Premiums – The monthly cost of the plan. POS premiums are typically lower as there are fewer options, and PPO plans are higher because there are more options. Deductibles – The amount an employee pays for health services out-of-pocket before the insurance plan kicks in.
Why would a person choose a PPO over an HMO? ›HMOs don't offer coverage for care from out-of-network healthcare providers. The only exception is for true medical emergencies. With a PPO, you have the flexibility to visit providers outside of your network. However, visiting an out-of-network provider will include a higher fee and a separate deductible.
What is cheaper HMO or POS? ›Is a POS plan better than HMO? A POS plan might be better if you want coverage that offers out-of-network care, but an HMO might be a better bet if you're looking to pay less for health insurance. POS and HMO plans are similar in some ways, such as requiring a primary care physician and referrals to see specialists.
Why PPO is the most popular? ›What are the advantages of PPOs? More flexibility: Unlike with HMOs, PPOs do not require you to select a primary care provider (PCP). Also, PPOs pay partial costs for out-of-network care, which frees you up to choose from a wider selection of doctors and specialists. No referrals needed: PCPs are optional in PPOs.
Why is PPO so good? ›PPO strikes a balance between ease of implementation, sample complexity, and ease of tuning, trying to compute an update at each step that minimizes the cost function while ensuring the deviation from the previous policy is relatively small.
What are 2 Advantages of a PPO? ›- Do not have to select a Primary Care Physician.
- Can choose any doctor you choose but offers discounts to those within their preferred network.
- No referral required to see a specialist.
- More flexibility than other plan options.
- Greater control over your choices as long as you don't mind paying for them.
An EPO health insurance plan can be a good option if you don't want the hassle of getting referrals and want to manage your own care without the help of a primary care provider. It's also a good choice if you're looking for a plan with some flexibility but don't want to pay the highest premium for a PPO plan.
Who benefits from EPO? ›A managed care plan where services are covered only if you go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals in the plan's network (except in an emergency).
What are the pros and cons of an EPO? ›
Pros and Cons of an EPO
Low monthly premiums: EPOs tend to have lower premiums than Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), though they're higher than Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) premiums. Large networks: They generally offer a wider selection of care providers than HMOs.
If you see the doctor often or have an ongoing medical condition, depending upon the plan, an HMO may have a higher monthly premium than an EPO plan, but you'll pay less out-of-pocket each time you receive care. If you only see doctors once in a while, an EPO plan might be right for you.
Why would you choose an EPO? ›EPOS (exclusive provider organizations) combine features of HMOs and PPOs. They have exclusive networks like HMOs do, which means they are usually less expensive than PPOs. But as with PPOs, you'll be able to make your own appointments with specialists.
What are the benefits of a POS plan? ›POS plans generally offer lower costs than other types of plans, but they may also have a much more limited set of providers. It is possible to see out-of-network providers with a POS plan, but costs may be higher and the policyholder is responsible for filling out all the paperwork for the visit.
How long can an EPO last for? ›How long does an EPO last? An Emergency Protection Order usually lasts for up to eight days. However, an application may be made to extend this. This will be granted for up to 7 days if there is reasonable cause to believe that the child is at risk of significant harm.
Does EPO last forever? ›An emergency protective order (EPO) is available only at the time of an arrest for a crime involving family violence or sexual assault. It is temporary and emergency in nature and cannot be extended.
What does EPO fully insured mean? ›EPO stands for Exclusive Provider Organization meaning insureds must get their health care exclusively from health care providers that the EPO contracts with or risk not receiving coverage. Unless it is an emergency, the insurance will not generally pay for expenses incurred from providers outside of the network.
What are the 5 types of health insurance? ›Types of Health Insurance Plans: HMO, PPO, HSA, Fee for Service, POS.
Which two healthcare plans typically require patients to see a primary care physician? ›Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and point-of-service (POS) plans are two types of healthcare plans that are alternatives to HMOs. With an HMO plan, you must always see your PCP first, who will then refer you to an in-network specialist. With a PPO plan, you can see a specialist without a referral.
What is HMO PPO and POS in medical billing? ›POS stands for Point of Service.
Like an HMO plan, you will have to designate a PCP. He or she will refer you to other doctors if required. Like a PPO plan, you will get services from external providers. But the out-of-pocket expenses will be high.
What do all HMO PPO POS have in common? ›
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, and POS plans all have provider networks. This network includes doctors, hospitals, labs, and other healthcare providers that either have a contract with the health plan or, in some cases, are employed by the health plan.
What are 2 disadvantages of choosing the HMO? ›- If you need specialized care, you will need a referral from your primary care physician to an in-network provider.
- Must see in-network providers for care-less flexibility than a PPO plan.
There are four types of HMOs: staff model, group model, network model, and independent practice association.
Is Medicare considered HMO or PPO? ›Most Medicare Advantage plans are structured as HMOs (health maintenance organizations) or PPOs (preferred provider organizations). If you're interested in a Medicare Advantage plan, you'll want to understand the difference between HMOs and PPOs, in both the care they cover and their costs.
Which POS service is the best? ›- Best Overall: Square.
- Best Value: eHopper.
- Best for Restaurants: TouchBistro.
- Best for Retail: Vend.
- Best for E-Commerce: Shopify.
- Best for Inventory Management: ShopKeep by Lightspeed.
PPO and POS plans are types of California health insurance plan which have become very popular over the past decade.
Why do people not like HMO? ›That's the problem with HMO's. To quote a Survivor of two primary breast cancers: "The disadvantage of an HMO is that the patients give up control of their own health care to medical groups that vary in quality and abilities and whose primary concern is their profit rather than the patient's health.
What are the pros and cons of HMO vs PPO? ›HMOs are more budget-friendly than PPOs. HMOs usually have lower monthly premiums. Both may require you to meet a deductible before services are covered, but it's less common with an HMO. With a PPO, your monthly premiums may be higher, but you will have some coverage if you go out-of-network.
Why do people choose PPO plans? ›PPO plan positives include not needing to select a primary care physician, and not being required to get a referral to see a specialist. Furthermore, you're still covered even if you see a provider that isn't in the PPO network, though the coverage will be lower than if you see an in-network provider.
What is a drawback to HMO insurance? ›On major disadvantage is that it is difficult to get any specialized care because the members must get a referral first. Any kind of care that is sought that is not a referral or an emergency is not covered.
What does POS mean in healthcare? ›
A type of plan in which you pay less if you use doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that belong to the plan's network. POS plans also require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.