What's the difference between PPO, HMO and EPO?

These describe how a plan handles its provider network. A PPO generally lets you see providers inside and outside the network, with a higher share of the cost outside it. An HMO usually keeps care inside the network and often coordinates it through a primary care physician. An EPO typically stays inside the network too, but without the referral structure an HMO uses. The right choice depends on which providers you want to keep and how much network flexibility is worth to you.

How do I know if my doctor is in-network?

Network participation is specific to each plan, not to a carrier as a whole, and it can change. Before you commit, we look up the exact plan's provider directory and, where it matters, confirm participation with the provider's billing office. Bring the names of the doctors and facilities you want to keep and we'll check them against the plans you're considering.

What does a deductible actually mean?

A deductible is the amount you pay for covered services before the plan begins paying its share. Some services, such as certain preventive care or copay-based visits, may be covered before you reach it. A low deductible usually means a higher monthly cost, and the reverse is also true, so it's worth looking at both numbers together.

What is maximum out-of-pocket?

It's the most you would pay for covered, in-network services during a plan year. Once you reach it, the plan generally pays the rest of the covered costs for that year. It's the number that tells you your worst realistic year, which is often more useful than the monthly premium alone.

What happens when I leave employer coverage?

Losing employer coverage typically opens a limited window to choose new coverage outside the normal enrollment period. What you qualify for depends on your situation, timing and location. The practical step is to review your options early so the change in coverage doesn't leave a gap.

How does COBRA compare with other options?

COBRA usually keeps the plan you already know, including your network, but you pick up the portion your employer previously paid, so the monthly cost often rises sharply. Other individual options may cost less per month with a different network or benefit structure. Comparing them side by side, rather than assuming either is better, is the point of a coverage review.

Independent coverage guidance

Health coverage is complicated.Your decision doesn't have to be.

Compare coverage options with knowledgeable guidance. Understand networks, deductibles, benefits and costs before deciding what fits.

Explore My Options Compare Plans

Independent guidance
Multiple coverage options
No obligation
Real human support

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Four numbers

Network, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, monthly cost. We read every plan in that order.

What brought you here?

Start with what's changing.

Pick the situation closest to yours. We'll carry it into your coverage review so you don't repeat yourself.

Coverage

Coverage for the way you actually live and work.

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HealthIndividual and family medical coverage.Networks, deductibles and out-of-pocket exposure, explained side by side.DentalPreventive, restorative and major dental options.Waiting periods and annual maximums matter more than the monthly price.VisionExams, frames, lenses and contact coverage.Small policies with specific allowances. We show what's actually included.Business CoverageCoverage options for owners and growing teams.Options for owners covering themselves, a partner, or a small staff.

Find the right balance

The cheapest plan and the right plan are not always the same.

Move between the three directions to see what each one trades away.

Middle-ground monthly cost with day-to-day usability.

Copays keep routine visits usable before you reach the deductible, while the monthly cost stays moderate. This is where most households land once they see both numbers together.

Watch for: Confirm your prescriptions sit on a tier you can live with.

Monthly commitmentrelative

Cost when care is neededrelative

Illustrative comparison of direction only. Not a quote and not specific to any plan.

Help Me Choose

Plan explorer

Compare the details that actually matter.

Every card below is built from the same structured plan record, so nothing drifts out of date across the site.

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First Health PPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

Optimum Health Saver

PPO

First Health PPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

Deductible: $5,000 hospital / $0 otherwise
Max out-of-pocket: Not published
Primary care: Zero copays
Specialist: Zero copays
Enrollment fee: $50
Coinsurance: Not published
Monthly: $132–$715/mo

Budget friendly PPO health plan that delivers national coverage for wellness, doctors, urgent care, surgery and hospitalization.

Lowest monthly entry point
Infrequent care
National network access

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First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

Maxguard 300 Deductible

EPO

First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

Deductible: $300
Max out-of-pocket: Not published
Primary care: $50
Specialist: $50
Enrollment fee: $0
Coinsurance: 0%
Monthly: $329–$949/mo

A low-deductible EPO with flat copays for everyday care and no in-network coinsurance on covered services.

Predictable copays
Regular visits
No enrollment fee

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First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

MedMax 250 Deductible

EPO

First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

Deductible: $250
Max out-of-pocket: $9,200
Primary care: $50
Specialist: $50
Enrollment fee: $60
Coinsurance: 0% extra
Monthly: $369–$1,079/mo

A copay-driven EPO with a $250 deductible and unlimited coverage subject to visit limits.

Low deductible
Everyday care
Copay clarity

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How it works

From questions to a clearer decision.

Four steps, no pressure at any of them. Reviewing options is not an application.

01
Tell us what matters.
Who needs coverage, where you are, what's changing, and which parts of a plan you care about most.
02
Review your options.
We put the available directions side by side, including networks, deductibles and out-of-pocket ceilings.
03
Understand the tradeoffs.
We explain what each option gives up, in plain language, and check the providers you want to keep.
04
Apply when you're ready.
If and when you decide to move forward, we help with the paperwork. Nothing is decided for you.

Why use a consultant?

Insurance websites show plans.A consultant helps you understand them.

A comparison table tells you what a plan says. A conversation tells you what it means for the doctors you see, the medication you take and the year you're planning for.

See how we work

Network verification
Understand whether your preferred providers actually participate in the plan you're considering.
Cost comparison
Look beyond premium to deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket exposure.
Coverage interpretation
Translate benefits, exclusions and limitations into plain English before you commit.
Ongoing human assistance
Keep a point of contact for the questions that arrive after enrollment.

Comparison

See two or three options in one view.

On a laptop this is a full table. On a phone it becomes swipeable cards rather than a squeezed grid.

Side-by-side comparison of selected plans
Detail	Optimum Health SaverFirst Health PPO Network (Aetna-Owned)	Maxguard 300 DeductibleFirst Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)	MedMax 250 DeductibleFirst Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)
Monthly	$132–$715/mo	$329–$949/mo	$369–$1,079/mo
Network	First Health PPO Network (Aetna-Owned)	First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)	First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)
Plan type	PPO	EPO	EPO
Enrollment fee	$50	$0	$60
Deductible	$5,000 hospital / $0 otherwise	$300	$250
Max out of pocket	Not published	Not published	$9,200
Coverage limit	$500,000 per person	$1 million per person	Unlimited (subject to visit limits)
Primary care	Zero copays	$50	$50
Specialist	Zero copays	$50	$50
Urgent care	Zero copays	$50	$50
Emergency room	Zero copays	$300	$250
Coinsurance	Not published	0% in-network	0% extra in-network on covered services
Best suited for	Lowest monthly entry point, Infrequent care, National network access	Predictable copays, Regular visits, No enrollment fee	Low deductible, Everyday care, Copay clarity

First Health PPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

Optimum Health Saver

Monthly: $132–$715/mo
Network: First Health PPO Network (Aetna-Owned)
Plan type: PPO
Enrollment fee: $50
Deductible: $5,000 hospital / $0 otherwise
Max out of pocket: Not published
Coverage limit: $500,000 per person
Primary care: Zero copays
Specialist: Zero copays
Urgent care: Zero copays
Emergency room: Zero copays
Coinsurance: Not published
Best suited for: Lowest monthly entry point, Infrequent care, National network access

First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

Maxguard 300 Deductible

Monthly: $329–$949/mo
Network: First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)
Plan type: EPO
Enrollment fee: $0
Deductible: $300
Max out of pocket: Not published
Coverage limit: $1 million per person
Primary care: $50
Specialist: $50
Urgent care: $50
Emergency room: $300
Coinsurance: 0% in-network
Best suited for: Predictable copays, Regular visits, No enrollment fee

First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)

MedMax 250 Deductible

Monthly: $369–$1,079/mo
Network: First Health EPO Network (Aetna-Owned)
Plan type: EPO
Enrollment fee: $60
Deductible: $250
Max out of pocket: $9,200
Coverage limit: Unlimited (subject to visit limits)
Primary care: $50
Specialist: $50
Urgent care: $50
Emergency room: $250
Coinsurance: 0% extra in-network on covered services
Best suited for: Low deductible, Everyday care, Copay clarity

Compare Plans

What you can expect

What you can expect from us.

We don't publish reviews or figures we can't stand behind. Here's the standard we hold instead.

Transparency: Clear explanations, without language designed to obscure what a plan does and doesn't cover.
Choice: More than one direction evaluated, so you can see what you're choosing between.
Context: Recommendations shaped by your priorities rather than a generic default.
Human support: The ability to speak with an actual consultant, before and after you decide.

Coverage review

Five short steps. No obligation.

Tell us what matters and we'll come back with options that fit — including what each one gives up.

1Coverage
2Location
3Situation
4Priorities
5Contact

Questions

The questions people ask first.

Plain answers to the terms that decide what coverage costs you.

Resources

Understand the decision before you make it.

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Basics

Ready to understand your options?

Start a coverage review and see what's actually available to you. No obligation, and no application until you decide.

Start My Coverage Review Talk to a Consultant

Health coverage is complicated.Your decision doesn't have to be.

Start with what's changing.

Coverage for the way you actually live and work.

The cheapest plan and the right plan are not always the same.

Compare the details that actually matter.

Optimum Health Saver

Maxguard 300 Deductible

MedMax 250 Deductible

From questions to a clearer decision.

Tell us what matters.

Review your options.

Understand the tradeoffs.

Apply when you're ready.

Insurance websites show plans.A consultant helps you understand them.

Network verification

Cost comparison

Coverage interpretation

Ongoing human assistance

See two or three options in one view.

Optimum Health Saver

Maxguard 300 Deductible

MedMax 250 Deductible

What you can expect from us.

Five short steps. No obligation.

The questions people ask first.

Understand the decision before you make it.

Understanding health insurance

PPO vs HMO vs EPO

COBRA alternatives

Deductible vs maximum out-of-pocket

Ready to understand your options?

Health coverage is complicated.Your decision doesn't have to be.

Start with what's changing.

Coverage for the way you actually live and work.

The cheapest plan and the right plan are not always the same.

Compare the details that actually matter.

Optimum Health Saver

Maxguard 300 Deductible

MedMax 250 Deductible

From questions to a clearer decision.

Tell us what matters.

Review your options.

Understand the tradeoffs.

Apply when you're ready.

Insurance websites show plans.A consultant helps you understand them.

Network verification

Cost comparison

Coverage interpretation

Ongoing human assistance

See two or three options in one view.

Optimum Health Saver

Maxguard 300 Deductible

MedMax 250 Deductible

What you can expect from us.

Five short steps. No obligation.

The questions people ask first.

What's the difference between PPO, HMO and EPO?

How do I know if my doctor is in-network?

What does a deductible actually mean?

What is maximum out-of-pocket?

What happens when I leave employer coverage?

How does COBRA compare with other options?

What options do self-employed people have?

Can I cover my spouse and children?

Can I change plans later?

How long does the process take?

Understand the decision before you make it.

Understanding health insurance

PPO vs HMO vs EPO

COBRA alternatives

Deductible vs maximum out-of-pocket

Ready to understand your options?