What is an HMO?
HMO plans primarily revolve around a primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP is the doctor you go to see for annual physicals or when you’re sick. You can choose your PCP, but they must fall within the HMO’s local network of healthcare providers. Anytime you have a problem, you schedule an appointment with that PCP, and if they believe you need additional treatment, you will be referred to a specialist, who also falls within the local network of healthcare providers.
What is a PPO?
With a PPO plan, there’s also more flexibility when it comes to selecting a PCP and seeing specialists. If you have a PPO plan, you are not required to have a PCP and can go to see any provider you choose, but you will ultimately save money by choosing a doctor in the network.
What is an EPO?
There is a third option that is becoming increasingly popular in California — Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO). This third option is a bit of a hybrid of the HMO and PPO plans. You’ll have many of the same freedoms you have with a PPO plan — for example, you won’t need to commit to a PCP or have a PCP referral every time you want to go to a specialist.
Information courtesy of https://www.healthforcalifornia.com