POS Health Plans

Point of Service (POS) health plans have similarities to both PRTPO and HMO plans. As with Preferred Provider (PPO) plans, you are directed toward a network of contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics for your healthcare, but you can pay a larger out-of-pocket fee to visit an out-of-network provider. Similar with the managed care policies of an HMO, your healthcare is administered according to a healthcare professional. With a Point of Service health plan your primary doctor monitors and directs your medical care and refers you to a contracted specialist when needed. Also similar to the concepts of an HMO, POS plans promote health and wellness through prevention and education, in addition to treatment.

The Pro's to a Point of Service health plan is the freedom it provides to go out on and chose your own providers, even specialists, outside of the network. You are not limited to specific medical providers that your primary care physician refers.

A negative however to be aware of is that the dollar amount the plan will pay decreases once you go outside the network. It is important to weight the importance of whether or not it is worth it to you, as a consumer, to pay a higher monthly payment for the freedom to access specialists, physicians, and clinics of your choice.

If you are relatively healthy and do not have a special relationship to a specific physician, then you might consider a managed care program that will charge you less for this freedom of choice.