Health insurance through your job.

A Health Maintenance Organization keeps care inside a defined network. You pick a primary care physician who coordinates your care and refers you to specialists. Premiums are usually the lowest of the group plan types, and out-of-network care is generally covered only in an emergency.

Best suited to people who are comfortable with a set network and want predictable costs.

A Preferred Provider Organization lets you see specialists without a referral and covers care outside the network at a lower level. That flexibility usually comes with a higher premium and a separate out-of-network deductible.

Best suited to people who travel, have established specialists, or want the widest choice of doctors.

An Exclusive Provider Organization sits between the two. You normally do not need a referral to see a specialist, but care must stay in network except in an emergency.

Best suited to people who want specialist access without referrals and are willing to stay in network to keep the premium down.

A Point of Service plan combines features of both. You choose a primary care physician and use referrals as you would in an HMO, but the plan still pays a share of out-of-network care.

Best suited to people who want coordinated care with a safety valve for going outside the network.

A High Deductible Health Plan pairs a lower premium with a higher deductible set each year by the IRS. Qualifying plans let you open a Health Savings Account and pay for care with pre-tax dollars. Preventive care is still covered before the deductible.

Best suited to people who do not expect much care in a given year, or who want to build savings in an HSA.