Exclusive provider organization

{{hus}}

In the United States, an exclusive provider organization (EPO) is a hybrid health insurance plan in which a primary care provider is not necessary, but health care providers must be seen within a predetermined network. Out-of-network care is not provided, and visits require pre-authorization. Doctors are paid as a function of care provided, as opposed to a health maintenance organization (HMO). Also, the payment scheme is usually fee for service, in contrast to HMOs in which the healthcare provider is paid by capitation and receives a monthly fee, regardless of whether the patient is seen.{{cite web|title=EPO Health Insurance—How It Compares to HMOs and PPOs|last=Davis|first=Elizabeth|website=HealthInsurance.About.com|url=http://healthinsurance.about.com/od/understandingmanagedcare/fl/EPO-Health-Insurance-How-It-Compares-to-HMOs-and-PPOs.htm|accessdate=Jan 15, 2014|archive-date=March 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307141929/http://healthinsurance.about.com/od/understandingmanagedcare/fl/EPO-Health-Insurance-How-It-Compares-to-HMOs-and-PPOs.htm|url-status=dead}}