What Is A POS Plan?

POS stands for Point of Service. It's a health plan that combines parts of the popular managed care plans, like PPOs and HMOs, with traditional indemnity coverage — like a Fee For Service plan.

Managed care gives you lower healthcare costs — and traditional indemnity plans give more complete coverage.

Managed, Traditional Care

The managed care part of a POS plan has a network of healthcare providers just like PPOs and HMOs. You’ll choose a primary care physician — usually an internal medicine doctor, pediatrician, general practitioner, or OB/GYN — for most of your basic healthcare needs. And your primary care physician will refer you to a specialist if necessary.

And if you want to go outside the network, your coverage will go with you. You won't have to get a referral and you have the freedom to choose any care provider. That’s the traditional side of a POS plan.

With a POS plan you’ll have the freedom to move in and out of the network. But keep in mind — if you stay inside of the network, you’ll save money.

Is a POS plan right for you? How does it stack up against other plans? See for yourself in minutes when you get quotes online. Just answer a few short questions, and you'll be able to compare plans side by side.