Health insurance can sometimes be confusing, given the option that consumers have to choose between an HMO or PPO policy. You may feel overwhelmed during enrollment periods in Frederick, MD to the degree of bypassing the process altogether. You should be aware, though, that going without health insurance means that you will have to pay for every doctor’s appointment as well as all prescriptions and treatments. Such a process of managing your medical care can become costly quickly.
You do not need to go without health insurance because you do not understand the difference between HMO and PPO plans. An agent at Wellspring Insurance Network Inc. can help.
What does “HMO” mean?
The acronym, HMO stands for “Health Maintenance Organization.” Those who select this form of managed care are typically prompted to choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) within a certain network who is responsible for their care. The benefit of HMOs is that they come with a cheaper price tag. You can pay a low premium as well as small co-payments and receive excellent care.
The main disadvantage of an HMO is the restriction of coverage only applying to treatment recommended by the PCP. You also have to stay within your network to receive low-cost care. An HMO does not provide coverage outside of the network, which means that you may pay premium costs for any treatment rendered by a doctor who is not your PCP.
What is a PPO?
The acronym, PPO stands for “Preferred Provider Organization.” As its name implies, those in a PPO program are given more liberality to choose the doctor they want to treat them. It is not uncommon for those with PPO insurance to take their coverage to other states as well as different doctors without going through the process of choosing a new primary care physician every time they want to change services. Thus, those who do not want to feel tied down in Frederick, MD may find PPOs better for their lifestyles.
Still, with more freedom comes more costs. A PPO is an expensive form of health management that often comes with high co-payments and even higher premiums. It is not uncommon for an individual to pay hundreds in premium costs every month only to learn that their co-payment for preventive care is also expensive. Still, a PPO is the ideal choice for the individual who has a primary care physician that he loves and refuses to run the risk of losing him due to the doctor is out of an HMO network.
Call Wellspring Insurance Network Inc. for help!
We can explain the details of HMOs and PPOs so that you can make an informed decision on which health management option works best. Call us today to get started with a quote!