What is a common feature of PPOs regarding payment for care?

The characteristic of PPOs, or Preferred Provider Organizations, regarding payment for care is that deductibles and coinsurance may apply, particularly for out-of-network services. This means that when patients seek care from providers outside of their PPO network, they often face higher out-of-pocket expenses, which could include having to meet deductibles before the insurance begins to cover costs or paying a percentage of the costs through coinsurance.

PPO plans are designed to give patients some flexibility in choosing providers, which can result in variability in costs depending on whether the care is received within or outside the network. Due to this flexibility, patients who opt to go out of network should be prepared for potential additional costs that would not apply if they stayed within the network.

This structure allows PPOs to balance cost management with the freedom of choice, making it an important aspect of how they operate.