Point of service plan

For the article on credit transactions, see Point of service.

A point of service plan, is a type of managed care health insurance plan in the United States. It combines characteristics of the health maintenance organization (HMO) and the preferred provider organization (PPO).

The POS is based on a managed care foundation---lower medical costs in exchange for more limited choice. But POS health insurance does differ from other managed care plans.

Enrollees in a POS plan are required to choose a primary care physician from within the health care network; this PCP becomes their "point of service". The PCP may make referrals outside the network, but with lesser compensation offered by the patient's health insurance company. For medical visits within the health care network, paperwork is usually completed for the patient. If the patient chooses to go outside the network, it is the patient's responsibility to fill out forms, send bills in for payment, and keep an accurate account of health care receipts.

References

Glossary, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, U.S. Office of Personnel Management (URL updated September 7, 2009).
Definitions of Health Insurance Terms, U.S. Interdepartmental Committee on Employment-based Health Insurance Surveys (URL retrieved September 30, 2006).
Sankey, Judith A., "Employee Benefit Plans: A Glossary of Terms", International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, 1997, ISBN 0-89154-513-1.

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