Is it time for you to pick out your next health insurance plan? There are so many options, how do you know which is the right one for you and your family?
When you’re trying to figure out which type of health insurance is best for your situation, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Generally, you’re going to be choosing between PPO and HMO.
We’re here to make the case for PPO so you can decide if it’s right for you. There are plenty of reasons that you would choose a PPO plan.
Read on to learn about why we think PPO can be the better choice for you.
What Is PPO Health Insurance?
PPO stands for preferred provider organization (in contrast to HMO, which stands for health maintenance organization).
In both plans, a network of medical providers has joined forces with the insurance to agree to provide services to people who are covered. There are a few differences between the two and, depending on your situation, you may find that one works better than the other. We think PPO is the better choice overall.
You Get Flexibility
It’s no secret that PPO plans tend to lean on the more expensive side in comparison with their HMO counterparts, but this added cost comes with the benefit of increased flexibility.
With an HMO, you’re going to be limited to the people within your exact network for coverage. A PPO, due to its additional costs, allows you to reach outside of a network for doctors or specialists, with coverage. In other words, while a network is available, it doesn’t restrict you.
No More Referrals
Some HMO plans allow you to move to an out-of-network provider or specialist with some form of referral coming from a general practitioner.
PPO plans have no such requirement. If you need a specialist you can see one, no referral required. Your care services aren’t controlled by your primary care physician.
For some people, it can be frustrating going through their PCP for every need. Not all doctors are as empathetic as we’d like them to be, and getting a referral for something we know is wrong can be a hassle. It can also add excess costs.
Save Money In-Network
While you have the option of going out-of-network for your flexibility needs, you still get to save money in-network just as you would with an HMO. This means that you get all of the savings with none of the hassles of operating within a system of providers that may not cater to your needs.
Let’s say that you already have a specialist when it’s time to change your insurance. In an HMO, if that specialist isn’t already within the network, you won’t be able to see them.
With a PPO, you can see that specialist while still saving costs on the in-network providers that you see otherwise.
What Type of Health Insurance Is Right for You?
Is a PPO the right type of health insurance for you? If you want your specialists covered regardless of whether or not they’re in-network, while you also save money on in-network professionals, PPO insurance is an awesome choice.
If you’re interested in checking out insurance plans today, or if you’d like to learn more about health insurance, visit our site. We want to get you covered.