What describes the features of a Point-of-Service (POS) health plan?

A Point-of-Service (POS) health plan is best characterized by its blend of features from both Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO). This hybrid structure allows members to have flexibility in choosing healthcare providers.

In a POS plan, enrollees typically choose a primary care physician who coordinates their healthcare and provides referrals to specialists when needed, similar to an HMO. However, if members prefer not to go through their primary care physician, they also have the option to seek care outside of the network, akin to a PPO, although with higher out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network services. This combination gives consumers the ability to manage their healthcare more flexibly while still maintaining the cost efficiency often associated with managed care plans.

This understanding illustrates the unique nature of POS plans, distinguishing them from other types of health plans that either limit access strictly to in-network providers or operate entirely without gatekeeping from primary care physicians.