Understanding The Types Of Managed Care

As if it wasn’t stressful enough to have to choose which health insurance to get every year, you have to understand a bunch of insurance terms and managed care. It is a lot for anyone who isn’t an insurance professional. At Infinity Insurance Group in Post Falls, ID, we do understand all the health insurance terms and we are here for you to make choosing the right policy easier for you.  

Types Of Managed Care

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

An HMO is the most popular type of managed care but it is also the most restrictive. The organization has a network of providers that the members must use. From those providers, you must choose a primary care physician who will manage your care. Make sure before you choose an HMO that your preferred primary care physician is in their network. In order to see a specialist, you will need to have a referral. The only time you can go outside the network is in the event of an emergency. 

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

In this type of managed care, you don’t need to have your care managed by a primary care physician. You can see a specialist without getting a referral. You will pay more to go outside the network, but that is a choice you are allowed to make. This type of coverage allows the most freedom. 

POS (Point of Service)

A POS is a combination of HMO and PPO. It is like an HMO in the fact that you need to have a primary care physician and you need to get a referral to visit a specialist. But like a PPO, you have some overage if you go outside of the network. 

Contact Infinity Insurance Group in Post Falls, ID to get the personalized service that only an independent insurance agent can provide.