What Is EPO Health Insurance?
Exclusive provider organizations, or EPOs, provide a health insurance option that falls in between HMOs and PPOs in terms of price and access to health care services. It is lesser known than the other two options, but it also may be less expensive for those who are not turned off by some of the restrictions. It is considered a subset of preferred provider organizations, but it does not include reduced fees for out-of-network care. PPO vs. HMO A preferred provider organization, the root of an EPO, offers access to a network of physicians that a patient can contact for medical services. Unlike with a health maintenance organization, a person with PPO coverage does not need to choose a primary care provider, or a doctor who will serve as the first point of contact. Referrals are generally not necessary in PPOs. EPO Basics An EPO policy may be more cost-effective in certain cases than a PPO plan because a customer is essentially only paying premiums in exchange for coverage by in-network p
