No. A lot of people think this is the case, but it's not. Whether you have an HMO-POS or a PPO plan, you can see doctors and hospitals outside of your health plan's approved network. Doing so may cost you more.
Not exactly. They both allow you to see doctors and hospitals outside of your health plan's approved network, but you have more control over your own health care with a PPO. If you choose an HMO-POS plan, you'll choose a primary care physician (PCP) to coordinate all of your care and you'll need to work with that doctor to get prior authorization before you get some services (otherwise they won't be covered). If you choose a PPO you won't have to rely on one doctor for all of your care and you won't need prior authorization to get your services covered outside of your health plan's approved network.
True. You won't need to ask permission before you get services to have them covered and you won't have to choose a primary care physician (PCP) to coordinate all of your care. But with freedom comes more responsibility. You may have to make your own appointments with specialists and other health care providers.