point of service (POS)

Notes

• patients are encouraged to see physicians within the POS network
• patients can see physicians outside the network, but must pay higher deductibles & higher copayments
• POS plans usually have primary care physicians who coordinate patient care (PPOs usually do not have PMDs coordinating care)
• payment may be fee-for-service or an HMO hybrid

Additional terms

• medical organizational structure
• point of care (POC)