If you are currently in the business or planning on entering into the business of healthcare management, you may have already heard of the courses known as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). Perhaps, you are unsure as to what this all means. Essentially, they are both forms of managed care, where you pay a monthly fee to a healthcare provider for access to healthcare services. However, the similarities do not stop there. Both HMOs and PPOs also offer different benefits that should be considered when deciding which one is right for you.
First of all, both HMO and PPOs to control healthcare costs by using a fee-for-service system. However, it is important to understand that this type of system differs significantly from traditional fee-for-service methods. While HMOs use a gateway, or point-of-service, to accept your application and set your rate, a PPO instead uses a network of healthcare providers or health insurance companies to accept your application and set your rate. PPOs also use a point of service system to determine if you qualify for a reimbursement. As a result, you pay more than if you were using a traditional fee-for-service system.
Another key difference between HMOs and PPOs is flexibility. In an HMO, you are locked in to a specific health plan, with no options to change it. In contrast, a PPO allows you to select a health plan that meets your unique healthcare needs. By enrolling in a frontline management course online, you can learn about PPO plans and learn how to utilize their flexibility and benefits.
A third difference is the level of service that healthcare providers or health insurance companies can provide. With a traditional health plan, you might get an aide to call when you experience a medical emergency, receive medications by a prescription, or have your teeth cleaned. With a PPO, however, you will be referred to nurses or medical assistants for services such as blood pressure monitoring, medication refills, or scheduling appointments. Because you pay more if you go to high-level professionals for services, a frontline management course online can help you save money by learning about PPO plans and choosing the right medical provider for your health needs.
There are several benefits to enrolling in a PPO. First, it may reduce the cost of healthcare, especially if you avoid doctor-diagnosed illnesses. A doctor's office is less likely to treat an ailment unless it is urgent. Second, if you experience health problems without taking care of them quickly, they could grow into larger issues and cost more money. Third, if you don't get routine medical exams, a medical provider might recommend a PPO instead of a more expensive fee-for-service plan.
When you take a frontline management course online, you also get information that is not available through conventional school courses. Online learning includes lectures, discussions, tutorials, and case studies. You also learn about common practices at work. This information is important because you learn what others are doing to avoid costly mistakes. For example, if you don't follow up on physical therapy prescribed by your doctor, you could experience long-term pain.
After you complete a PPO, you are usually required to complete a performance appraisal. This part of your course helps you evaluate how well you are using your PPO. You must also pass a skill test before you can become a certified nurse anesthetist or advanced nurse practitioner. If you complete the course successfully, you will have the opportunity to earn the right to take a national board exam for these medical credentials.
A PPO is a great way to advance in your career. If you have been working in the field for some time, you may have some extra time that you want to use to further your education. Taking a frontline management course online will give you the best opportunity to do so.