POS MEDICAL INSURANCE

 POS medical insurance is a managed care plan which combines the lower cost of HMO with the liberty of choice of a PP. As a point of service option it is often referred as an HMO. Admission to health care providers: Similar to HMO, you have to choose your primary care physician.

 The primary care physician becomes your “point of service” and will monitor your health care as well gives you referrals to other providers within the network.
 The Primary care physician can also make referrals outside the network. In this case, the POS plan only pays the portion of the bill and if you stay within the network then your share of costs will be higher.
 Services like HMOs, POS provides vide range of health care services. It covers preventive care, checkups and tests, as well as inpatients and outpatient hospital care and services.

 Costs: Actual costs are monthly premium, which are less than a PPO, a co-payment for covered medical services accessed within the network. In net-work services you need not fill forms for claim.

If you use out of network providers, the rate applied will be higher after you have met your deductible amount. Further you will have to fill up forms, send the bills to the insurance company for payment and keeping health care receipts.

 Advantages: POS medical insurance allows you to choose where you get care. You can choose health care networks within or outside. Within network costs are lower and level of coverage is higher.
 Disadvantages: From primary care providers you will have to take reference for treatment from specialists. Out of net providers will have to pay higher coinsurance rates.
 POS medical insurance might be a good option for you if you like the freedom offered by a PPO and the lower cost of an HMO.