PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
A PPO lets you see any doctor, in or out of network, without referrals, in exchange for the highest premiums of the common plan types.
- Brand
- Plan type
- Category
- Health Insurance Plan Types
- Released
- Price
- Not published
- VersusAnything Score
- 0/100
Key features
- No referrals needed
- Out-of-network cover included
- Widest choice of doctors
Best for people who want maximum choice and see specialists often.
PPO plan specifications
| Network flexibility | Any provider; in-network is cheaper |
|---|---|
| Referral needed for specialists | No |
| Out-of-network coverage | Yes, at a higher cost share |
| Premium level (1 = lowest) | 4 |
| Typical deductible | Moderate |
| HSA eligible | Only if it is a high-deductible PPO |
| Best for | Frequent travellers and people with established out-of-network specialists |
| Main drawback | Highest premiums; out-of-network bills can be large |
Score breakdown
- Overall (100%)
Scored against every health plan in our database using the health insurance plan types weighting.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No referrals needed
- Out-of-network cover included
- Widest choice of doctors
Cons
- Weaker overall score (0/100 within health insurance plan types)
Compare PPO plan against
Alternatives to PPO plan
Sources
- PPO plan: Plan type official (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.