How are HMOs and PPOs alike?
With both HMOs and PPOs, you generally pay a monthly premium whether you use any healthcare that month or not. You may also have to make co-payments for office visits or prescriptions. Both HMOs and PPOs have contracts with doctors, hospitals, and other providers. They have negotiated certain fees with these providers-and, as long as you get your care from these providers, they should not ask you for additional payment. (Of course, if your plan requires a co-payment at the time you receive care, you will have to pay that.
