PPO premiums are generally considered to be:

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans typically carry higher premiums than Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans. This is primarily due to the flexibility and choice that PPOs offer in terms of healthcare providers and services. PPO plans allow members to see any healthcare provider without requiring a referral, including specialists, and provide out-of-network coverage at a higher cost.

Because of this added flexibility, PPO insurance plans tend to be more expensive. Members are often willing to pay these higher premiums for the greater range of options and fewer restrictions compared to HMO plans, which generally require members to select a primary care physician and get referrals for specialist services. This indicates a trade-off between premium costs and the level of freedom in choosing healthcare services. Hence, the statement that PPO premiums are generally considered to be higher than HMO premiums is correct and aligns with the typical characteristics of these insurance plans.