Merritt Personal Lines Manual: PPO Advantages

PPOs are a better choice than fee-for-service plans if the insured doesn't make a lot of money but wants to have some flexibility in the choice of a physician. They are also good if the insured has built a relationship with a physician not in the network and wants to continue that relationship. The insured can still use preferred providers for other services and keep seeing the specialist.

PPOs are also good when the insured knows he or she will exceed the deductible amount. However, if the insured doesn't exceed the deductible, the insured will basically be getting no value out of the insurance because the deductible amount must come out of the insured's pocket before the insurance company starts paying.