Appendix E: FEHB Plan Comparison Charts
Nationwide Fee-for-Service Plans
Fee-for-Service (FFS) plans with a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) - A Fee-for-Service
plan provides flexibility in using medical providers of your choice. You may choose medical providers who
have contracted with the health plan to offer discounted charges. You may also choose medical providers
who do not contract with the plan, but you will pay more of the cost.
Medical providers who have contracts with the health plan (Preferred Provider Organization or PPO) offer
discounted charges. You usually pay a copayment or a coinsurance amount and do not file claims or other
paperwork. Going to a PPO hospital does not guarantee PPO benefits for all services received in the hospital,
though. Lab work and radiology services from independent practitioners within the hospital are frequently
not covered by the hospital's PPO agreement. If you receive treatment from medical providers who
are not contracted with the health plan, you either pay them directly and submit a claim for reimbursement
to the health plan or the health plan pays the provider directly according to plan coverage, and you pay a
deductible, coinsurance or the balance of the billed charge. In any case, you pay a greater amount of the
out-of-pocket cost.
PPO-only - A PPO-only plan provides medical services only through medical providers that have contracts
with the plan. With few exceptions, there is no medical coverage if you or your family members receive
care from providers not contracted with the plan.
Fee-for-Service plans open only to specific groups - Several Fee-for-Service plans that are sponsored
or underwritten by an employee organization strictly limit enrollment to persons who are members of
that organization. If you are not certain if you are eligible, check with your Human Resources Office first.
Fee-for-Service Plans Open to All
Fee-for-Service Plans Open Only to Specific Groups