How Medicare Advantage PPO Plans Work
Shopping for Medicare Advantage plans doesn’t have to be confusing. Most people choose between two main types of plans—HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) and PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations). We’ll help clarify what a PPO plan is and help you determine whether it’s the right choice for you.
What is a PPO plan?
PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. Breaking down the phrase a bit can help us explain just how this type of plan works.
To start, a “provider” is any doctor or facility that provides you with medical care. When you have a PPO plan, you can choose to see any provider you like. PPO plans can be less restrictive than HMO plans, which have a set network of doctors and facilities you must use.
However, not all providers are created equal when you have a PPO plan. Some are “preferred” by the health insurer, meaning you’ll pay less for your care if you choose them. (This is similar to choosing an “in-network” provider in other types of plans.)
If you choose to receive care from a doctor or facility that is not inside the preferred network, you’ll pay more for your care. (This is similar to choosing an “out-of-network” provider in other plans, with the key difference being that a PPO plan will cover at least some of the cost.)
Essentially, PPO plans have a provider network (just as HMOs do), but you are not required to use it. However, if you do stay within the preferred provider network, you’ll save money.
Is a Medicare Advantage PPO different from a regular PPO?
You may have heard the term PPO or used a PPO plan before you became eligible for Medicare. That’s because PPO plans aren’t limited to Medicare Advantage. PPOs (and HMOs, for that matter) are common types of health plans offered by private insurance companies such as United Healthcare and Aetna.
If you’re familiar with using a PPO plan outside of Medicare Advantage, you can rest easy. A Medicare Advantage PPO plan works much the same way. The only difference is that instead of your employer covering part of the insurance cost, the federal government does.
Some Medicare Advantage PPO plans even offer benefits that aren’t typically included in non-Medicare PPO plans, such as dental care, eyeglasses, and wellness programs.
How does a PPO plan compare to other Medicare Advantage options?
Weighing your options is easier when you can look at the plan types side by side. The chart below gives an overview of the two most common types of Medicare Advantage plans, PPOs and HMOs.
There are other types of Medicare Advantage plans, but they are far less common. These options include Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS) plans, Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans, and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). For a full overview, see our Medicare Advantage Plans Guide.
Who is a PPO plan best for?
A Medicare Advantage PPO plan may work well if you . . .
- Value freedom and flexibility. You don’t need to work through a primary care physician or request referrals before seeing a specialist.
- Want access to more doctors and facilities. With a PPO, you can see any health care provider you would like, although you may pay more when you see providers that are not preferred by the plan.
- Are fine with paying a little more in premiums for the flexibility a PPO offers.
You can change your plan
Don’t stress too much about finding the perfect PPO plan. Your decision doesn’t need to be forever. Each year, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a different plan that meets your needs—or keep the same plan if it’s still offered and working well. Our step-by-step guide to changing plans makes it easy.
You can also change plans when certain life events happen. Find out exactly when you can change your Medicare Advantage plan.
The bottom line
To select the right Medicare health plan for you, think about what you value most. If seeing any doctor you like and visiting specialists without a referral are your top priorities, a PPO plan may be the right choice.
Content on this site has not been reviewed or endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the United States Government, any state Medicare agency, or any private insurance agency (collectively "Medicare System Providers"). Eligibility.com is a DBA of Clear Link Technologies, LLC and is not affiliated with any Medicare System Providers.
