Hassle-Free Health Coverage: Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOS)

Exclusive provider organizations are a type of PPO in which you can use a particular provider, instead of choosing from a list of preferred providers. In this situation, providers are not paid a salary but are paid on a fee-for-service basis.

EPOs are characterized by a primary physician who monitors care and makes referrals to a network of providers (this is the same gatekeeper concept), strong utilization management, experience rating and simplified claims processing.

EPOs can serve as an alternative to or companion to HMOs and PPOs.