Answered>Order 4192

You are considering the choice between the following three health plans offered by your employer:

i.)HMO; your premium contribution = $100/month. $0 copays / $0 deductible / 0% coinsurance. Limited network of docs and hospitals

ii.)PPO; your premium contribution = $200/month. $0 copays / $500 deductible in network /20% coinsurance in network / $1500 deductible out of network / 30% coinsurance in network. Limited network of docs and hospitals

iii.)HDHP; your premium contribution = $75/month. $0 copays / $2500 deductible / 0% coinsurance. No network restrictions

Assume that the employer charges you more for the PPO than the HMO and HDHP because the PPO costs the employer more to provide that plan. How could the HMO cost be less than the PPO cost? In particular, the HMO appears to be more generous, which would imply higher costs due to moral hazard