Medical Expense✓ Verified · outline & fact-checked · Sep 2026Difficulty 2/5
A Point of Service (POS) plan is best described as a plan that:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
A Point of Service (POS) plan combines features of an HMO and a PPO. Within the network, members select a primary care physician who coordinates care and must be used for referrals, much like an HMO. Outside the network, members may self-refer to any provider, but they pay higher deductibles and coinsurance. This hybrid structure gives members in-network savings while retaining the freedom to seek out-of-network care, which is why POS plans are sometimes called HMOs with an out-of-network option.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) Requiring all care to stay in-network describes a pure HMO or EPO, not a POS plan, which explicitly permits out-of-network access at higher cost.
- C) A fee-for-service plan with no primary care requirement describes traditional indemnity coverage, not a POS plan, which does require a primary care physician in-network.
- D) Pairing with a high-deductible plan and savings account describes a consumer-directed health plan, not the network design of a POS plan.
Memory hook
POS = an HMO at home base, a PPO on the road. Stay in-network and save; wander out and pay.