PPO Plans Explained

A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan lets you see any doctor or hospital. You pay less when you use providers in the plan's network, and you do not need a referral to see a specialist.

An HMO usually limits you to its own network and requires a primary care doctor to refer you to specialists. A PPO gives you more freedom to choose, usually for a higher monthly premium.

With a PPO you can keep seeing your doctor. Michael checks whether your doctors and hospitals are in the network before you choose a plan, so there are no surprises.

Many PPO networks are national, which matters for travel nurses, truckers and anyone who works across state lines. Michael confirms the network for any plan you are considering.

It depends on how you use care, which doctors matter to you and your budget. Michael compares the options with you and explains the trade-offs.