Which characteristic is commonly associated with a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan?

The characteristic commonly associated with a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan is the flexibility to see out-of-network providers at a higher cost. PPOs are designed to offer members more choices regarding their healthcare providers. Unlike health maintenance organizations (HMOs), which generally require members to select a primary care physician and obtain referrals to see specialists, PPOs allow members to visit specialists and out-of-network providers without a referral.

This flexibility is a key attraction of PPO plans. While seeing out-of-network providers usually results in higher costs, members still have the choice to access a wider network of providers if they wish. This contrasts with other plan structures that may impose more stringent limitations on provider access or require referrals. In summary, the defining quality of PPOs is their balance between offering a wide network of providers and the option to seek care outside that network, albeit often at a higher financial responsibility for the member.