PPO

noun

ˌpē-(ˌ)pē-ˈō 

plural PPOs

: an organization providing health care that gives economic incentives to the individual purchaser of a health care contract to patronize certain physicians, laboratories, and hospitals that agree to supervision and reduced fees compare hmo

Examples of PPO in a Sentence

I'm not sure if that doctor belongs to my PPO.

Recent Examples on the Web

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan controls 65% of the market for health insurance products in Michigan, and 79% of PPO insurance plans, the attorney general said. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2026

If another worker with a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO plan got the same drug at the same Houston Methodist hospital, an employer could be paying almost six times as much, or nearly $4,400 for a vial. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Bananas contain polyphenol oxidase (PPO), an enzyme that can break down polyphenols, which are beneficial for gut, heart and brain health, according to Patrick, who is based in San Diego. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Employees didn’t understand the differences between a PPO and an HDHP. — Debby Moorman, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

preferred provider organization

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

PPO

noun

ˌpē-(ˌ)pē-ˈō 

plural PPOs

: an organization providing health care that gives economic incentives to the individual purchaser of a health care contract to patronize certain physicians, laboratories, and hospitals which agree to supervision and reduced fees

called also preferred provider organization

compare hmo