Hmos are known as what type of plans

HMOs and PPOs are two common types of health insurance plans. If you’re trying to decide which to choose, it can help to know the basics of both, plus key differences.

HMOs

An HMO, or health maintenance organization, is a plan that offers members care within a specific network of doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers. These are called in-network providers.

Your costs are typically lower with an HMO because it already has agreements in place with providers. They pay less to providers they have contracts with, so you pay less for the plan.

If you use a provider that isn’t in the HMO’s network, known as an out-of-network provider, the plan typically won’t cover your visit unless it’s an emergency.

As an HMO member, you pay a monthly premium and a copay when you seek care. You choose a primary care doctor to coordinate your care. If you need to see a specialist, your primary care doctor must give you a referral.

PPOs

With a PPO, or preferred provider organization, there’s more flexibility where you seek care. You can see doctors who are out-of-network. You can also see a specialist without getting a referral.

But if you get care from a provider that’s in the PPO network, you pay less. Your out-of-pocket costs will be lower and your coverage will be more thorough.

If you choose care from a provider that’s out-of-network, your out-of-pocket costs will be higher. You’ll pay more for some services, and others may not be covered at all.

Your PPO has agreements with in-network providers to pay a set fee for each service. PPOs usually have a set rate they will pay for an out-of-network service or provider. If you go out-of-network and the doctor or medical facility charges more for a service, you have to pay the difference.

What Are the Key Differences?

The main differences between HMOs and PPOs are affordability and flexibility.

Cost. 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. HMOs typically don’t provide coverage for out-of-network providers unless it’s an emergency.

Flexibility. PPOs have more flexibility than HMOs. You choose which doctors you go to. You can see providers that are in-network or out-of-network. You don’t need prior approval or a referral from a primary care doctor. If you choose a PPO and your doctor isn’t in-network, you don’t have to change doctors to be covered.

Think of it as a trade-off. With an HMO, you pay less but have less flexibility where you get care. With a PPO, you pay more but have more options.

Pros and Cons

Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of HMOs and PPOs may help you decide which is best for you.

HMO advantages

  • Lower out-of-pocket costs
  • Lower monthly premiums
  • Lower prescription costs

PPO advantages

  • More flexibility
  • Broader choice of providers
  • Coverage for in-network and out-of-network doctors
  • Seeing a specialist without a referral

HMO drawbacks

  • Limited choice
  • Coverage for in-network providers only, unless it’s an emergency.

PPO drawbacks

  • Higher out-of-pocket costs
  • Higher monthly premiums

How to Choose

Deciding between an HMO and a PPO depends on your needs. These questions may help you choose.

  • Which is more important to you: lower costs or more flexibility?
  • How important are low monthly premiums and copays?
  • What are the deductibles for each plan?
  • How often do you see a doctor?
  • Which medical services do you think you’ll need in the near future?
  • Do you have an existing medical condition that requires you to see specialists often?
  • Is your doctor in-network or out-of-network?
  • Do you have a team of specialists you’d like to keep using, even if they’re out of network?
  • Do you travel a lot, which means you need more flexibility when seeking care?

When you answer these questions, you’ll have a better idea of which may be a bigger priority: flexibility or affordability. If lower out-of-pocket costs are more important than having more choices, an HMO may be right for you. If more flexibility is more important than keeping costs down, a PPO may be a good choice.

The plan that’s best for you is the one that meets your needs and priorities.

Posted: June 19, 2020

Last updated date: April 05, 2021

Time and again, members tell us how much they value their relationship with their doctors. And it’s not surprising. It may have taken a lot of time and effort to find doctors who you like and trust. If you’re looking into a dual health plan, you may have seen the terms “HMO” and “PPO” used to describe different health insurance plans. What’s the difference you ask? And which is better, HMO or PPO? It all comes down to choice of doctors. Read on to learn why. 

 Everything you need to know about Dual Special Needs Plans in one, convenient guide.

A quick recap on dual health plans.

Dual health plans are for people who have both Medicaid and Medicare. These plans usually include many extra benefits and features to help cover more of your care and costs. And you could get them all with as low as a $0 plan premium.

What does HMO mean?

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. Members of HMO plans must go to network providers to get medical care and services. That doesn’t mean they can’t ever see a doctor who’s outside the HMO network. But, unless it’s an emergency, the member may have to pay the whole cost for their medical care.

What does PPO mean?

PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. With a PPO plan, members still have access to a local network of doctors and hospitals. But they also have the flexibility to see any other provider anywhere in America. That’s as long as the doctor participates in Medicare and accepts the member’s health plan. If PPO plan members do choose to go out of the PPO network, their plan premium, copay or coinsurance may be higher. 

Your choice of plans may depend on where you live.

Not all health plans are available in every county across the country. Whether you have the option to choose an HMO or a PPO health plan may depend on where you live. What’s most important of all, is that you have access to a primary care doctor and other physicians you like and trust.

See if your doctors are in our network.

Our online search tool makes it easy to find a doctor, specialist or any other network provider near you. 

Dual-eligible or Medicaid plan benefits can change depending on where you live. Search using your ZIP code to find the best plan to meet your health care needs.

What is an example of an HMO?

The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan in California, the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York, and the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound are generally regarded as innovators of this type of HMO.

What is PPO vs HMO?

To start, HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization, and the coverage restricts patients to a particular group of physicians called a network. PPO is short for Preferred Provider Organization and allows patients to choose any physician they wish, either inside or outside of their network.

What is the meaning of HMOs?

Health Maintenance Organization