HMO or PPO? Which do you prefer?

[digimon7068]

It's a personal choice. If all your Drs. are in the cheaper one, go for it. People generally want more choices to see their own Drs. If they are already in the plan's choices, then you shouldn't have to pay extra to see them.

Personally I always went with as PPO because I liked to go to specialists without any referals

agreed. . .and it's not just the "specialist" thing. . .i like to know that if one of my kids gets an ear infection while they're visiting their grandparents in west viriginia (like what happened last week), my wife can take them to any damn doctor she wants to and whip out the card. . .

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

+1 PPO

HMO Dr's make sure they don't spend the ins co's $ but get paid NOT to treat you, course if you die it is cheaper to pay one family than to treat hundreds of thousands of families..

 

[the_oak]

Ppo

 

[Chocolate_Thunder]

i have sick insurance

paid $300 out of pocket for a root canal and crown!!

(single moms - plz inquire via PM for being a possible dependent)

Con on bro, you KNOW that dental is separate right? As is vision and prescriptions (within an HMO or PPO). HSA's are another story.

 

[bigbadassdude]

The only thing making me consider choosing the HMO is the discount on Lasik surgery is 900$, compared to 300$ for the PPO.... Thanks for all the responses!

 

[gonelifting]

The only thing making me consider choosing the HMO is the discount on Lasik surgery is 900$, compared to 300$ for the PPO.... Thanks for all the responses!

If an HMO fits your lifestyle, then get it. Some people don't really use health plan much. that may be you. If you don't really get sick all that much, then it might be OK to have it just in case, if it saves you money. Drs. aren't toal assholes. If you feel sick, you go there and they'll treat you. If you have a condition that needs a whole bunch of specialists a couple times a week, then you're better off with a PPO.

Some people go to the Dr. once or twice a year. HMO is good for that. Depends on the cost savings I guess. I would consider an HMO, especially if my Dr. is on the plan. He's a good Dr. period.

 

[bigbadassdude]

If an HMO fits your lifestyle, then get it. Some people don't really use health plan much. that may be you. If you don't really get sick all that much, then it might be OK to have it just in case, if it saves you money. Drs. aren't toal assholes. If you feel sick, you go there and they'll treat you. If you have a condition that needs a whole bunch of specialists a couple times a week, then you're better off with a PPO.

Some people go to the Dr. once or twice a year. HMO is good for that. Depends on the cost savings I guess. I would consider an HMO, especially if my Dr. is on the plan. He's a good Dr. period.

Thanks! Always so helpful.... The other consideration is HRT... Would that be difficult to obtain with an HMO plan.

 

[Smurfy]

I like my current PPO plan but way back in the day when I became pregnant with my son (11 yrs ago) - I had an HMO with BCBS and i paid a $10 co-pay on my very first prenatal visit and that was all I paid until the day I brought my son home with me.
I think it costs around $10-15k to have a kid in a hospital and I paid $10. I couldnt argue with that.