What does EPO mean in healthcare?

Asked by: Evert Jakubowski  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (63 votes)

Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Plan. A managed care plan where services are covered only if you go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals in the plan's network (except in an emergency).

Is EPO or PPO better?

A PPO offers more flexibility with limited coverage or reimbursement for out-of-network providers. An EPO is more restrictive, with less coverage or reimbursement for out-of-network providers. For budget-friendly members, the cost of an EPO is typically lower than a PPO.

Is an EPO better than an HMO?

EPO health insurance often has lower premiums than HMOs. However, HMOs have a bigger network of healthcare providers which more than makes up for it. You may also want to consider your location when choosing a health insurance plan. EPOs are better suited for rural areas than HMOs.

How does an EPO plan work?

Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) health plans offer a local network of providers and hospitals from which members can choose to receive care. EPOs generally have lower monthly premiums than PPO plans but members cannot receive covered care outside of their plan's work with the exception of an emergency.

What is the deductible for EPO?

Participating: $250 per individual / $500 per family calendar year brand-name drug deductible. Non-Participating: Not Covered There are no other specific deductibles.

What does the EPO, PPO, HMO, POS stand for in HEALTH INSURANCE? What is network provider?

44 related questions found

Does EPO have deductible?

Deductible. The deductible is a specified annual dollar amount you must pay for covered medical services before the plan begins to pay benefits. EPO deductibles are flat amounts, as shown on the Key Provisions chart.

Does EPO cover out of state?

EPO stands for "Exclusive Provider Organization" plan. As a member of an EPO, you can use the doctors and hospitals within the EPO network, but cannot go outside the network for care.

Are EPO Plans Bad?

Another major disadvantage of EPO insurance is the inability to see out of network healthcare providers without being responsible for all medical fees. In short, if you are looking for low monthly premiums and are willing to make higher deductibles for healthcare you need, you may want to consider EPO health insurance.

Do doctors prefer HMO or PPO?

PPOs Usually Win on Choice and Flexibility

If flexibility and choice are important to you, a PPO plan could be the better choice. Unlike most HMO health plans, you won't likely need to select a primary care physician, and you won't usually need a referral from that physician to see a specialist.

Is an EPO a PPO?

A PPO (or “preferred provider organization”) is a health plan with a “preferred” network of providers in your area. ... An EPO (or “exclusive provider organization”) is a bit like a hybrid of an HMO and a PPO. EPOs generally offer a little more flexibility than an HMO and are generally a bit less pricey than a PPO.

Can you get a PPO through marketplace?

Yes. Any plan shown in the Marketplace includes these essential health benefits. This is true for all plan categories (all “metal levels,” including Catastrophic plans) and all plan types (like HMO and PPO).

Why would a person choose a PPO over an HMO?

Advantages of PPO plans

A PPO plan can be a better choice compared with an HMO if you need flexibility in which health care providers you see. More flexibility to use providers both in-network and out-of-network. You can usually visit specialists without a referral, including out-of-network specialists.

Is Blue Shield an HMO?

Blue Shield offers a variety of HMO and PPO plans. Contact us if you have any questions or to find out more about our plans.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia part of Anthem?

As previously communicated, effective January 1, 2019, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc.

What does PPO not cover?

PPOs cannot charge more than Original Medicare charges for certain kinds of care, including chemotherapy, dialysis, and skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. However, PPOs can charge higher copays for other services, including home health, durable medical equipment (DME), and inpatient hospital care.

Do EPO plans need a referral?

Most EPOs will not require you to get a referral from a primary care healthcare provider before seeing a specialist. This makes it easier to see a specialist since you're making the decision yourself, but you need to be very careful that you're seeing only specialists that are in-network with your EPO.

What does it mean 10 coinsurance after deductible?

Coinsurance is an additional cost that some health care plans require policy holders to pay after the deductible is met. ... For instance, with 10 percent coinsurance and a $2,000 deductible, you would owe $2,800 on a $10,000 operation – $2,000 for the deductible and then $800 for the coinsurance on the remaining $8000.

Is an EPO a good plan?

EPO health plans generally have lower monthly premiums, co-pays, and deductibles than non-EPO options. ... If you want the freedom to schedule appointments directly with specialists, and do not mind having to switch health care providers to one in your EPO network, then EPOs may be a good choice for you.

What is Blue Shield EPO?

EPO Plans (Non-Marketed)

Exclusive provider organization (EPO) plans give members access to network providers in our Full PPO or Tandem PPO network. Members have the flexibility to see any network doctors and specialists without a referral. Except for emergencies, EPO plans have no out-of-network benefits.

What is Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO?

EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plan

With the exception of emergency services, there are no benefits for members who choose to receive services outside of the preferred provider network. Members do not need to select a primary care provider or get referrals from a primary care provider to see a specialist.

How do I find out my deductible?

A deductible can be either a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the total amount of insurance on a policy. The amount is established by the terms of your coverage and can be found on the declarations (or front) page of standard homeowners and auto insurance policies.

What is direct pay EPO?

An exclusive provider organization, or EPO, is a health insurance plan that only allows you to get health care services from doctors, hospitals, and other care providers who are within your network. Your insurance will not cover any costs you get from going to someone outside of that network.

Is Kaiser cheaper than Blue Shield?

We'll talk about network next but this really affects the pricing comparison. Kaiser is all HMO and HMO plans are generally cheaper. Blue Shield offers HMO and PPO.

Can I have both HMO and PPO?

Yes, you can have two health insurance plans. Having two health insurance plans is perfectly legal, and many people have multiple health insurance policies under certain circumstances.

Can I switch from HMO to PPO?

Contact your insurance agent or see your company human resources representative to discuss your health insurance coverage. Ask about the next available enrollment period and find out if you must wait until then to change health insurance coverage from your HMO to a PPO.