Which characteristic is typical of preferred provider organizations (PPO)?

Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) are designed to offer flexibility and a broad network of healthcare providers. A defining characteristic of PPOs is that benefits are maximized when members utilize in-network providers. This means that when patients receive care from doctors or hospitals that have contracts with the PPO, they face lower out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments and deductibles. In contrast, if they choose to see out-of-network providers, the costs are higher, and they may need to pay a larger proportion of the service fees.

The structure of a PPO encourages members to use a list of preferred providers to achieve the best possible financial outcomes, making it a popular choice for those who value both choice and cost efficiency in their health care. This characteristic reinforces the concept of having benefits maximized when utilizing the network of providers that are aligned with the PPO's agreements.