the four main health insurance plan types:

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

• Must choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP)

• Requires referrals to see specialists

• No coverage outside the network (except emergencies)

• Lower cost, more restrictions

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

• No referral needed for specialists

• Can see out-of-network providers (higher cost)

• More flexible, usually higher pre

POS (Point of Service Plan)

• Requires a PCP and referrals (like HMO)

• Some out-of-network coverage allowed (like PPO)

• Mixed flexibility and cost

EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization)

• No referrals needed

• Must stay in-network (except emergencies)

• Lower cost than PPO, but less flexible