What does POS stand for in health insurance plans?

The term POS in health insurance plans stands for "Point-of-Service plan." This type of health insurance plan combines features of HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) and PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans. It allows members to manage their healthcare by choosing from a network of doctors and facilities while also providing the flexibility to go outside the network for services if they are willing to pay higher out-of-pocket costs.

The POS plan typically requires members to select a primary care physician (PCP) who acts as a gatekeeper for referrals to specialists. If members choose to receive care or referrals within the network, they benefit from lower costs. If they seek care outside the network, they still have coverage but will incur higher deductibles and co-pays. This combination of structure allows for both managed care and flexibility in choosing and accessing healthcare providers, making it a compelling option for those who value the ability to see a wider range of providers while also benefiting from the cost-effectiveness of a network-based plan.

For the other choices, "Payable outpatient service," "Provider of service," and "Personal organized system" are not established terms used widely in the context of health insurance plans. Thus, they do not accurately define what POS represents in this context.