What is the difference between a PPO and an HMO?

The difference between a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in Washington is mainly in cost and flexibility. A PPO is typically more expensive than an HMO, but offers more flexibility for customers. With a PPO, customers can pick and choose their own doctors, specialists and hospitals in their network, whereas with an HMO, customers are limited to a specific network of in-network doctors. In addition, customers of a PPO do not need a primary care physician to refer them to specialty care, while customers of an HMO will typically need to get authorization from their primary care physician before seeing a specialist. Finally, while out-of-network care is sometimes covered by PPOs, it is rarely covered by HMOs. Overall, when considering health insurance plans in Washington, customers should consider the cost and flexibility of each type of plan carefully to determine what is best for their needs. For those who need more freedom in choosing their own providers, the higher costs of a PPO might be worth it. Alternatively, for those who prefer the lower cost of an HMO and are content with the limited network of providers, this might be the preferable option.

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What is the difference between a PPO and an HMO?

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