Understanding the various models of health insurance in the U.S. is essential in helping you develop foundational health care knowledge for your role as a health care professional. The following discussion is designed to help you understand how health care is financed and how health insurance plans influence patients and providers.

Instructions:
Due Thursday:

Post a substantive response that addresses each of the following components (minimum 175 words):

Describe the following types of health insurance plans in your own words, and from the perspective of a health care professional.
Health maintenance organization (HMO)
Preferred provider organization (PPO)
Point-of-service (POS)
Provider-sponsored organization (PSO)
High deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs)

Consider each of the following in your response:
How the care is paid for or financed.
The structure of the model (e.g., gatekeeper, open-access, or combination of both).
The benefits for providers.
The challenges for providers.