|
|
| CLINICAL
MIND > INSURANCE |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Preferred
Provider Organization (PPO) |
| |
|
| |
On the other side of the coin is the PPO and it
is not as common among employer-sponsored health
insurance options but it is probably the one that
employees prefer most. As the name implies, a
Preferred Provider Organization places more emphasis
on giving enrollees more options with their health
care. While an HMO stresses reduced costs and
the use of a “Gatekeeper”, a PPO stresses
increased options. Some principle features of
most PPO programs include: |
| |
| |
|
| |
Less
Restrictions.
This option has the least amount of restrictions
when choosing doctors and there is no
gatekeeper barring participants from seeing
a specialist if they choose. |
| |
|
| |
Higher
Cost .
Expect higher premiums, deductibles, and
co-pays with any PPO plan. Some plans
even require the payment of co-insurance
in certain circumstances so be sure to
read through this section carefully before
selecting. |
| |
|
| |
Use
of Networks.
Despite having more options (PPO networks
are typically much larger), participants
still must choose providers from a list.
However, if an enrollee wants to still
see their own doctor and they are not
part of network, it is often still possible
on a PPO plan but may require a slightly
higher co-pay. |
|
| |
|
| |
Employees do tend to prefer PPO plans but they
don’t tend to like the higher costs associated
with these “preferred” options. For
someone who needs to see specialists or who is
very particular about seeing their own doctor,
a PPO plan is certainly the better option. Plus,
participants in PPO plans tend to have shorter
waits to see their doctor and have far greater
flexibility than their HMO counterparts. |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
