Today, most employees seek jobs where health insurance is available. As you build your benefits package, consider the various types of health insurance plans available. Point of service (POS) is one of the most popular plans offered by insurance brokers. With POS health insurance, members have access to affordable rates, flexible terms, and access to a broad selection of healthcare providers and specialists. Not sure if POS health insurance is the right choice for your employees? Learn who the ideal candidate is for a point of service plan and how experienced insurance brokers can help you with all of your health insurance needs.
Who is a Good Candidate for POS Health Insurance?
Point of service (POS) managed care plans are favored in the U.S. due to their unique benefits. The plan typically combines the characteristics of a health maintenance organization (HMO) and a preferred provider organization (PPO) to create a flexible plan that gives members a variety of options. While POS health insurance is not nearly as common as HMOs or PPOs, they are right for some individuals. You may be an ideal candidate for POS health insurance if you:
- Already have a favorite doctor that participates in a POS network. Maybe you already have an established doctor in a POS health insurance network, or are looking to receive care under a specific doctor that is in this network. Either way, POS health insurance is ideal for individuals whose favorite doctors are already in the network. If you are not sure if your doctor is in a POS health insurance network, use your carrier’s search tool to find out. In addition to your primary care physician, you may find that certain specialists are also covered in-network.
- Do not mind going out of your network. With POS health insurance, members can designate an in-network healthcare provider to be their primary care provider. Similar to a PPO plan, members can also go outside of their provider network to seek healthcare services. However, unless the primary care provider has provided a referral for an out-of-service provider, the member will be responsible for a bulk of the cost. If you want the freedom to see out-of-network healthcare providers, POS health insurance may be ideal for you. The insurance option is also a great choice for people who may use outpatient medical services regularly, such as those who need routine counseling.
- Want the option to see healthcare providers in any geographic location. With POS health insurance, members are able to go out of network with ease and visit any doctor or specialist. POS plans allow for optimal geographical flexibility, meaning you can walk into any medical clinic or hospital when traveling and seek medical assistance. This can provide individuals with great peace of mind, especially if they travel often or suffer from certain chronic medical conditions. Whether they are traveling across the city or across the state, members of POS plans will continue to have some medical coverage.
- Are good at keeping medical receipts from doctor and hospital visits. If you see an out-of-network doctor with POS health insurance, you will be responsible for paying for the doctor’s fees. However, you have the opportunity to complete the proper paperwork and receive a reimbursement from the insurance carrier if the paperwork is approved. To help ensure that you get every penny you deserve back, it is important to maintain all of your healthcare receipts. You may be a good candidate for POS health insurance if you do not mind filling out reimbursement forms and paying for medical bills upfront.
- Want a primary care provider coordinating your healthcare. As a member of a POS health insurance plan, you will be required to choose a primary care physician. Having a PCP can be beneficial for a wide range of reasons. Not only do you have a designated provider in the event of illnesses, you also have a professional who is dedicated to coordinating your healthcare. This may include setting up laboratory and other types of testing, referring you to specialists, and providing various types of preventative care. If you like the stability of having a primary care physician, you may be an ideal candidate for a POS health insurance plan.
- Want coverage anywhere in the event of a true emergency. You never know when an emergency is going to occur. Maybe you have fallen and broke a leg or you became severely ill while on vacation. These types of true emergencies are often covered under a POS health insurance plan, whether the doctor or facility you see is in your network or not. If your emergency turns out to not be a true emergency after all, POS plans may still pay for a portion of its members’ medical bills even if they went out of network.
- Want an affordable, yet flexible, health insurance plan. One of the biggest advantages of a POS health insurance plan is its affordability. While you may be responsible for a portion of the bill if you see a doctor outside of your network, you may not have to pay a deductible at all if you only visit doctors and medical facilities that are inside your network. As long as you stay in your network, your co-pay will also be quite low, making POS plans highly favorable among individuals on a budget.
Call BBG Today to Learn More About POS Health Insurance
If you are comparing health insurance plans for your organization, you have likely come across POS plans. Like all health insurance plans, point of service plans have a number of benefits that make it a preferred choice by many individuals and families. However, POS health insurance is not right for everyone. At Business Benefits Group, our experienced insurance brokers can help you choose the right health insurance option for your employees. We work with businesses big and small and have the skills to build benefit packages that attract and retain top talent. Contact us today for a consultation.