PPOs vs. HMOs: Here’s How to Choose Between the Two

When you sign up for health care coverage, you’re going to need to choose between HMO and PPO insurance. It’s common to have questions about what each offers and which one is right for you. By learning the difference between HMO and PPO, you can determine which health insurance plan is suitable for your healthcare needs and your budget.

For starters, HMO means “Health Maintenance Organization” and PPO means “Preferred Provider Organization.” There are also some key differences between HMO vs. PPO insurance.

So, which is better: PPO or HMO? You will have to weigh things like the best coverage you need, convenience, cost and more. Here are the most important factors to take into consideration when researching HMO and PPO insurance.

Consider what your healthcare needs are. If you have more healthcare needs than other people, then a PPO could be the right choice for you. For example, if you’re battling a chronic disease and you’re constantly in and out of doctors’ offices, then a PPO could be an ideal option. But if you rarely go to the doctor and are generally well, an HMO could be fine for you.

“An HMO is not generally recommended if you have a complicated medical condition that requires ongoing care from several different specialists or [you] experience chronic health problems because it limits your choices and increases the risk that treatment may be delayed,” said Dr. Héctor Pérez, chief surgeon at Renew Bariatrics, a weight loss surgery facilitator.

To figure out what type of insurance plan would best suit your needs, Pérez said you should make a list of all of your health concerns and then “identify which doctor or hospital provides your healthcare. Before making a decision, consider narrowing the list down to the providers who are covered under the plans you are considering.”

You’ll need to see how much PPO and HMO plans are going to cost you. “HMOs tend to be less expensive than PPOs for similar coverage,” said L.J. Jones, a financial planner at Developing Financial. “But monthly premiums aren't the only consideration. People should weigh the monthly premium against the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.”

According to Jones, if you’re a relatively healthy person, it’s typically better to choose an insurance plan that costs less and has a higher deductible. “A person who relies on specific medication or more commonly has health concerns should look for a plan with lower deductibles and greater coverage for prescriptions,” he said. “Employer plans don't always have multiple tiers for both HMO and PPO, so compare your options to see which is a better plan.”

You may prefer to have more options when it comes to selecting your providers and not limited by those your plan allows. If this is important to you, a PPO could be a better option.

“If you like flexibility, a PPO may be a good choice because you don't have to see your primary care physician to get a referral to a specialist,” said Shawn Plummer, CEO at The Annuity Expert. “A PPO may also be the better option if you frequently visit specialists or use healthcare services heavily.”

On the other hand, HMOs are usually more convenient when it comes to payment. Plummer pointed out that while most HMOs don’t have annual deductibles and may only charge a copay when you use healthcare services, PPOs will be more complex when it comes to copays, deductibles and coinsurance.

Annual check ups, well-child visits, lab work, eye exams and the occasional x-ray may be a typical healthcare year as a family with children. When it comes to choosing if you go with an HMO or PPO, it likely will come down to your needs, schedule and provider options.

You may want to choose an HMO if you have children or multiple members of your family are going to the same primary care physician. While Plummer said that PPOs are more popular, “some families prefer HMOs because they like the familiarity of seeing the same doctor each time who can coordinate the healthcare needs of each member of the family.”

Before deciding on HMO vs. PPO health insurance, look at the network of providers around you. “If you have many physicians in your HMO network near you, that may also be a good reason to go for an HMO,” said Plummer. “On the other hand, if there are not many in-network providers near you, you may prefer to opt for a PPO instead.”

According to Jones, HMOs are based on a geographic area, so if you like to work remotely for long periods of time, you might not like being far away from your coverage network. But with a PPO, there are in-network and out-of-network providers and no gatekeeper keeping you from seeing them. “If you need to see a specialist, you can go see them without first seeing your primary care physician,” he said. “These networks may also be national so people can find in-network care beyond their home area.”

When choosing a plan, make sure you thoroughly research all of your options. For more information, you could see what kind of coverage your current doctors accept and contact insurance brokers in your area to learn what’s available to you. Of course, before signing on the dotted line with an insurance company, make sure you understand exactly what your policy will cover.

“Remember, each insurance plan has different rules and regulations,” said Pérez. “It's essential to read your policy carefully before signing up for coverage. The fine print could make all the difference in what you're getting — or not getting — for your money come claim time.”